490 PHILADELPHACBiE — MYETACE^. 



nate with tlie divisions of the calyx, and. equal to them in number ; 

 aestivation convolute, imbricate. Stamens oo (rarely 10), in one or 

 two rows, arising from the orifice of the calyx. Ovary adherent to 

 the tube of the calyx ; styles distinct, or united into one ; stigmas 

 4-10 ; ovules oo , attached to a central placenta. Fruit a 4-10-ceUed 

 capsule, free above. Seeds oo , scobiform, subulate, smooth, pendulous, 

 with a loose membranous arillus ; albumen fleshy ; embryo straight, 

 about as long as the albumen ; cotyledons flat ; radicle next the hOum, 

 obtuse. — Shrubs with deciduous, opposite, exstipulate leaves without 

 dots ; flowers usually in trichotomous cymes. They are natives of 

 the South of Europe, of North America, Japan, and India. They 

 have no marked properties. The flowers of Fhiladelphus coronarius, 

 Syringa or mock-orange, have a peculiar odour, which to some persons is 

 overpowering and disagreeable. The smell is due to the presence of 

 an oil. Deutzia scabra has a scurfy matter on its leaves,<which, under 

 the microscope, is seen to consist of beautiful stellate hairs. The 

 leaves are in consequence used in Japan by polishers. Its inner bark 

 is. used for poultices. The order is included by some in the tribe 

 Hydrangieee, of the natural order Saxifragacese. There are 5 genera 

 enumerated, including 22 species. -EJcamyZea— PhUadelphus, Deutzia, 

 Decumaria. 



Order 74. — Myetace^, the Myrtle Family. (Folypet. Epigyn.) 

 Calyx 4-5-6-8-clefl, the limb sometimes cohering at the apex, and 

 falling oif like a lid; aestivation valvate. Petals attached to the 

 calyx, alternating with its segments, and equal to them ia number, 

 with a quincuncial aestivation, rarely 0. Stamens inserted with the 

 petals, twice as many as the petals, or oo ; filaments distinct, or united 

 in one or more parcels, curved inwards in the bud ; anthers ovate, 

 dithecal, with longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary inferior, 1-6-celled ; 

 style and stigma simple ; ovules anatropal, pendulous or erect. Fruit 

 dry or fleshy, dehiscent or indehiscent. Seeds usually oo , attached to 

 a central placenta ; mostly exalbuminous ; embryo straight or curved ; 

 cotyledons distinct (fig. 610, p. 339), or consolidated with the radicle, 

 which is next the hilum. — Trees or shrubs, with opposite, rarely 

 alternate leaves, which are usually entire and dotted, and frequently 

 have an intramarginal vein. They are natives chiefly of wann coim- 

 tries, as South America and the East Indies. Many, however, are 

 found in more temperate regions. Some of the genera are peculiar to 

 Australia. The order has been divided into the following tribes : — 1. 

 Chamselaucieae, heath-like plants, with a 1-celled ovary, indehiscent 

 capsule, and opposite dotted leaves. 2. Leptospermese, having a mul- 

 tilocular capsule with loculicidal dehiscence, and opposite or alternate, 

 usually dotted leaves. 3. Myrtese, having a baccate fruit, distinct 

 stamens, opposite dotted leaves. 4. Barringtoniese, having a fleshy 

 l-ceUed fruit, monadelphous stamens, albuminous seeds, opposite or 



