428 DILLENIACE^I — MAGNOLUCEiE. 



ketzach), called also black cummin and Fennel-flower. The roots of 

 Hydrastis canadensis, yellow-root, are used as a tonic. The rhizome 

 of Podophyllum peltatum, May-apple, is employed in America as a 

 purgative. Some of the Eanunculaceee are chiefly marked by bitter 

 tonic properties. This order, in the position, number, and structure of 

 its parts of fructification generally, presents a resemblance to several 

 widely differing families. It differs from DUleniacese in the want of 

 an arO, in its deciduous calyx, and in its whole habit ; from Magno- 

 liaoese, in the want of true stipules ; from Papaveracese and 

 Nymphseaoeae, in the distinct not united carpels, watery not milky 

 juice, and acrid properties. It closely approaches the Berberidacesc, 

 especially in Podophyllum (which some authors look upon as a Ber- 

 berid), but differs in its stamens not bursting by recurved valves. In 

 its numerous carpels, floral divisions, and indefinite stamens, it agrees 

 with the Eosacese, but differs in its stamens being hypogynous instead 

 of perigynous, in the large quantity of albumen surrounding the 

 minute embryo, in the want of true stipules, and in its acrid pro- 

 perties. Crowfoots and UmbeUifers agree in some particulars; the 

 latter, however, have their ovary inferior, and their stamens always 

 definite. 



Order 2. — DiLLENiACEiE, the DUlenia Family. {Polypet. Eypog.) 

 Sepals 5, persistent. Petals 5, deciduous, in a single row. Stamens 

 indefinite, hypogynous, either distinct or combined into bundles ; fila- 

 ments dOated at the base or apex ; anthers adnate, introrse, with 

 longitudinal dehiscence. Ovaries definite, more or less distinct, with 

 a terminal style and simple stigma ; ovules anatropous. Fruit of 2-5 

 capsular or baccate unilocular carpels, which are either . distinct or 

 coherent. Seeds erect or ascending, usually arUlate, several in each 

 carpel, or only two, or one by abortion ; testa crustaceous ; embryo 

 straight, minute, axUe, at the base of fleshy albumen. — The plants 

 of the order are trees, shrubs, or under-shrubs, having alternate, 

 exstipulate, coriaceous, or rough leaves. They are found chiefly in 

 Australia, Asia, and the warm parts of America. The Indian species 

 are remarkable for their beauty, the grandeur of their foliage, and the 

 magnificence of their fiowers. They have astringent properties, and 

 some of the species afford excellent timber. Authors enumerate 30 

 genera, including 230 species. Examples — DiUenia, Delima, Hib- 

 bertia, CandoUea, Tetracera. 



Order 3. — Magnoliace^, the Magnolia Family. (Polypet. Hypog) 

 Sepals 2-6, usually deciduous. Petals 2-30, hypogynous ; often in 

 several rows. Stamens indefinite, distinct, hypogynous ; anthers 

 adnate, long, dehiscing longitudinally. Carpels numerous, l-celled, 

 arranged upon a more or less elevated receptacle ; ovules anatropal, 

 suspended or ascending ; styles short. Fruit consisting of numerous 

 distinct or partially coherent carpels, which are either dehiscent or 



