22 NATURAL niSTOBY OF PLANTS. 



5-dentate, induplicate-vaJvate. Stamens 5-8, or rarely 9, 10, included. 

 Germen and ovule nearly of Pisonia ; style posteriorly excentric, late- 

 rally stigmatiferous, thickened, subclavate, or attenuated at apex. 

 Fruit clothed with the cylindrical tube of the perianth. — Small trees 

 or shrubs, often climbing', and armed with simple or at apex 2— 3-fid 

 spines (shoots or abortive axillary peduncles) ; flowers solitary 

 (Trict/cla) or 3-nate {Eubouga'unriUed), surrounded by involucre of three 

 bracts, leaves equal, bright coloured (Warm and Southern America). 

 See p. 12. 



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