410 



NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



VIII. BALANITES SERIES. 



In this small group, formed of the single genus Balanites 1 (figs. 

 4G0-4G3), the flowers are regular and hermaphrodite, with a sur- 

 based receptacle. The calyx is formed of five sepals, disposed in 



Balanites cegyptiaca. 



Fig. 460. 

 Floriferous branch. 



Fig. 461. 

 Flower (f). 



Fig. 462. 

 Long. sect, of flower. 



Balanites agyptiaca. 



the bud in quincuncial praeiloration ; 2 and the corolla, of five alter- 

 nate petals, imbricated when young. 3 The stamens are ten in num- 

 ber, five longer alternate, and five superposed to 

 the petals ; they are formed of a two-celled introrse 

 anther, dehiscing by two longitudinal clefts at- 

 tached at the back to a free subulate filament. This 

 is inserted in one of the ten inferior hollows of the 

 hypogynous disk in the form of a thick festoon. 4 

 The gynseceum is superior; it is composed of an 

 ovary with five oppositipetalous cells, surmounted 

 by a conical style with stigmatiferous apex divided 

 Dry fruit. into five small lobes, often but little distinct. In the 



1 Del., Fl. d'Eg., n. 77, t. 28, fig. 1.— DC, 

 Prodr., i. 70S. — AitN., in Ann. So. Nat., ser. 

 2, iii. 246— Endl., Gen., n. 5498.— B. H., 

 Gen., 314, n. 26.— H. Bn., in Adansonia, ii. 

 381, t. 10, fig. 9, 10 ; x. 316. 



2 Their edges, levelled as it were, are how- 

 ever not very large. 



3 Glabrous or velvety, especially outwardly, 

 entire, or hollowed at apex. 



4 It has ten prominent lobes above, and ten 

 others alternate, prominent below ; it is in the 

 sinuosities separating these latter from each other 

 at the bottom of an equal number of small 

 pits that the stamens are inserted. 



