E UPHOKBIA CEM. 



149 



248-253), which 



give 



their 



Phyllaiilliits [Xylophi/Ua) uiKjiistifolius. 



or four shells, is capsular, with a suberous mesocarp. The leaves 

 are opposite or verticil! ate. In the species of BaiMiphjllum^ 

 trees and shruhs from the warm regions of Asia, Oceania, and Africa, 

 doubtfully ascribed to this family, the stamens are inserted close to 

 the centre of the flower, where, in an indefinite number, they form 

 an uuibelliform verticil. Theu- fi'uit is fleshy and indehiscent, and 

 the seed encloses an embryo shorter than is usual in the Euphorbi- 

 acece. 



The species of Phjllanthus (fig 

 name to this series constitute the 

 oldest and most completely studied 

 genus. Formerly nearly the 

 whole of thebiovular Euphorhiacece 

 observed in tropical countries were 

 ascribed to it. The flowers, gene- 

 rally monoecious, more rarely 

 dioecious, and always small in size, 

 have usually only three stamens, 

 more rarely four or five, and but 

 very rarely a larger number, al- 

 ways with central insertion. The 

 perianth has generally from foui' 

 to six imbricated sepals, with a 

 like number of alternate glands. 

 The fruit is capsular, rarely more 

 or less fleshy, with ex-carunculate 

 seeds, anatropous or descendent, 

 or sometimes almost comj^letely 

 orthotropous and ascendent, but 

 always directing theii' micropyle, 

 which in the ovule was capped by 

 a cellular obturator, towards the^'^ 

 organic summit of the cell. The 

 exterior seminal coat may be thickened for the whole of its length, 

 Nothing is so variable as the organization of the androceum, the 

 extrorse anthers having the base directed downwards, and the fila- 

 ments being in certain cases completely free (fig. 251). They may 

 be short, oblique, or nearly transverse, or well straightened, elon- 



Fig. 249. Male 

 flower. 



218. Florif'erous branch. 



Fig. 250. Female 

 flower (I). 



