22 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 
5-dentate, induplicate-valvate. 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 
(Tricycla) or 3-nate (Lubougainvillea), surrounded by involucre of three 
bracts, leaves equal, bright coloured (Warm and Southern America). 
See p. 12. 

