BIXACE2E. 275 



but little prominent, each giving insertion to two lateral series of 

 anatropous ascendent ovules, with micropyle turned downwards and 

 outwards. 1 The fruit becomes a capsule, compressed from one side 

 to the other, and generally covered with more or less rigid prickles ; 

 it opens into two lateral panels, the internal face supporting a 

 vertical mesial placenta, but little prominent. At maturity, the 

 membranous endocarp is generally separated from the exocarp. The 

 seeds, indefinite in number, are supported by a funicle dilating 

 round the hilum in a short aril in the form of a cuff (figs. 295, 296). 

 The other extremity of the seed is larger, and presents a thick 2 

 circular chalaza. The coats are triple. The exterior, membranous 

 and cellular, is full of yellow or reddish granules, constituting the 

 tinctorial substance of the Annattos. The fleshy albumen envelops 

 an axile embryo, coloured green, with cylindro-conical radicle, and 

 foliaceous cotyledons digitinerved at the base. 



This genus includes one or two arborescent species, 3 with yellow 

 or red-coloured juice, simple, alternate leaves, palminerved at the 

 base, petiolate, accompanied by two lateral caducous stipules. The 

 flowers 4 are united at the summit of the branches in ramified 

 clusters of cymes, the pedicels bearing on their upper part five 

 glands under the flowers. The Annattos are natives of tropical 

 America, and have been introduced into all the warm countries of 

 the globe. 



The Annattos constitute by themselves a small subseries (of 

 EubixecB). Oncoha forms a neighbouring subseries in which Carpo- 

 troclte, Mayna, and Dendrostylis are found united, only representing, 

 as we think, different sections of the same genus. In all these plants 

 the dioecious or polygamous flowers have imbricated sepals and 

 petals varying in number, numerous stamens, the anthers of which, 

 often elongated and straight, open longitudinally by two clefts. 

 The fruit is extremely variable as to the consistence of the pericarp, 

 and the state of its exterior surface. 



1 They have two coats. Wight, III., t. 17.— Miq., Fl. Ind.-Bat., i. 



2 When the seeds begin to dry, the region of 107 ; Fl. Sum., 159. — Oliv., Fl. Trop. Afr., i. 

 the chalaza contracts, drawing with it the semi- 113. — A. GeaS", Amer. Exp I. Exp., Hot., i. 72. 

 nal segments, and becomes more or less con- — Tttl., in Ann. Sc. Nat., ser. 3, vii. 2y6. — 

 cave, so as to resemble to a certain extent the Tb. & Pi., in Ann. Sc. Nat., ser. 4, xvii. 93. 

 micropyle of an orthotropons seed (tigs. 291, — Bot. Mag., t. 1456.— Walp., Ann., vii. 222. 

 295). 4 Pretty large, handsome, pink. 



3 II. B. K., Now Gen. et Spec, v. 353.— 



T 2 



