NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



naked or having two or three dorsal ridges. Finally, Gaudichaudia 

 (fig. 45,9-461), representing the most incomplete type of this family, 

 has only five stamens in the normal flowers, three only being usually 

 fertile (fig. 459), and three carpels, one alone presenting generally a 



Qaudichundia coiigestiflora. 



Fig. 450. I'lower (f). 



Fig. 460. Longitudinal section 

 of flower. 



developed and gynobasic style (fig. 461). The fruit is formed of 

 one or two saraarœ supported by a filiform foot and provided with 

 a marginal wing and dorsal ridge. This genus is formed of slight 

 shrubs often volubile, inhabiting Mexico, Venezuela, and Co- 

 lumbia. 



The 3IuIjU(/]iiacece ^ form a very natural small group in which 

 monographers have traced artificial divisions, according to characters 

 whose value wouUl elsewhere be considered very small. It may be 

 strictly said of this, as of many other families, that it is a large natural 

 genus whoso divisions have been too much multiplied, and will unfor- 

 tunately be still more so if the same principles continue to be applied. 

 With the older botanists down to Linn^us, all known Malpigliiuccœ 

 were 3IalpigJda^ Banistcna, and Triopterys. At the end of the last 

 century and the commencement of the present, Ca vanille had added 



' Muliiighia: i. Gen. 252, Old. l.—Malpighi- 

 uca J. Ann. Mus. xviii. 479. — DC. Prodi: i. 677. 

 — Endl. 6en. 1057, Ord. 228.— Ltnbl. Nat. Si/H. 



121, Ord. 92; Veff. Kingd. 388, Ord. 139.— J 

 G. Agardh, Theur. Syst. Plant. 2!)1. 



