98 TERNSTROMIACEiE. 



the cells opposite the petals when these are five in number : 

 STYLES 5, distinct or united into one : stigmas short and in- 

 trorsely terminal, or in S. Virginica united into a five-crenate 

 and five-radiate compound stigma. Ovules two in each 

 cell, ascending from its inner angle next the base, at first 

 collateral or nearly so, obovoid, anatropous, the micropyle 

 inferior. 



Capsule globular, sometimes five-angled and pointed, five- 

 celled, loculicidally five-valved ; the valves with the adhe- 

 rent dissepiments more or less thickened and woody-crusta- 

 ceous, leaving a small columella after dehiscence, or none at 

 all. Seeds in pairs, or by abortion solitary in each cell, as- 

 cending, one a little above the other, obovate-lenticular ; the 

 testa thick and crustaceous, smooth and conformed to the 

 nucleus, or else, in S. pentagyna, surrounded by a narrow 

 wing-like margin. Albumen fleshy, rather copious. Embryo 

 straight in the axis of the albumen and of nearly its length : 

 COTYLEDONS broadly oval, somewhat cordate, foliaceous, 

 plane : radicle slender, rather longer than the cotyledons, 

 inferior. 



Shrubs, with membranaceous and alternate, usually serru- 

 late leaves, more or less pubescent with soft and simple 

 downy hairs, articulated with the stem and deciduous, desti- 

 tute of stipules. Flowers large and showy, axillary, solitary, 

 on short peduncles. Corolla white or cream-color. 



Etymology. Dedicated by Catesby to JoJm Stuart, Marquis of Bute 

 who was distinguished in his day as a botanist. His name not unfrequently 

 occurs in the pubhshed Correspondence of Linnaeus. 



Geographical Distribution, &c. This beautiful genus consists of two 

 species, indigenous to the Atlantic States, which, although similar in other 

 respects, differ so much in the pistil and fruit, that they have been viewed as 

 separate genera; and a third species has recently been detected in Japan. 

 Our species are well deserving of cultivation as ornamental flowering shrubs. 

 S. pentagyna, which is indigenous to the eastern slope of the Alleghany 

 Mountains, is perfectly hardy in England, and at Philadelphia, where it 

 freely ripened the fruit for which I am indebted to my obliging correspond- 

 ent. Miss Morris, for the opportunity of figuring, in these illustrations. 



