BIXACE A. 275 
but little prominent, each giving insertion to two lateral series of 
anatropous ascendent ovules, with micropyle turned downwards and 
outwards.' 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’ 
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,’ with yellow 
or red-coloured juice, simple, alternate leaves, palminerved at the 
base, petiolate, accompanied by two lateral caducous stipules. The 
flowers' 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 
Eubixeæ). Oncoba forms a neighbouring subseries in which Carpo- 
troche, Mayna, and Dendrostylis axe found united, only representing, 
as we think, different sections of the same genus. In all these plants 
the diæcious 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, Wieut, Jil., t. 17.—Miq., Fl. Ind.-Bat., i. 
2 When the seeds begin to dry, the region of 107; Fl. Sum., 159.—Ottv., Fl. Trop. Afr., i. 
the chalaza contracts, drawing with it the semi- 113.—A. Gray, Amer, Expl. Exp, Bot,, i. 72. 
nal segments, and becomes more or less con- —Tuz., in Ann. Se, Nat., sér. 3, vii. 296.— 
cave, so as to resemble to a certain extent the Tr. & PL., in Ann. Se. Nat., sér. 4, xvii, 93. 
iicropyle of an orthotropous seed (figs. 294, —Bot. Mag., t. 1456.—Watp., Ann., vii. 222. 
295). 4 Pretty large, handsome, pink. 
# H. B. K., Nov. Gen. et Spec., v. 353.— 
T 3 
