306 MANUAL OF BOTANY 



ring, from which proceed 5 tooth-like processes (staminodes) 

 which alternate with the fertile stamens, and are opposite to 

 the petals. Disc none or glandular. Ovary compound, its 

 cells usually corresponding in number to the sepals ; styles 3 — 

 5 ; stigmas capitate. Fruit a septicidal capsule, each cell more 

 or less perfectly divided into two by a spiurious dissepiment 

 proceeding from the dorsal suture, and haviag a single seed in 

 each division. Seed compressed, with or without albumen; 

 embryo straight, with the radicle towards the hUum. 



Diagnosis. — Herbs or very rarely shrubs, with simple entire 

 leaves, which are usually exstipulate. Flowers regular, sym- 

 metrical. Sepals, petals, and stamens 3 — 5 each ; the sepals 

 persistent and imbricate ; the petals fugacious and twisted in 

 sestivation ; the fertile stamens united at their bases, and having 

 little tooth-Kke staminodes alternating vvdth them. Ovary 3 — 5- 

 celled, styles distinct, stigmas capitate. Fruit a septicidal 

 capsule, each cell more or less divided by a spurious dissepiment, 

 and each division containing one seed. Seeds compressed, with 

 or without albumen, and a straight embryo. 



The plants of the order Erythroxylaceee of some botanists, 

 which, following Bentham and Hooker, we include in this order, 

 are exceptional in each petal having at its base two scales, in 

 their drupaceous fruit, and woody stem. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Chiefly natives of the south of 

 Europe, BrazU, and some other parts of South America, West 

 Indies, and the north of Africa, but more or less distributed 

 over most regions of the globe. Illustrative Genera: — Liniim, 

 Linn. ; Kadiola, Gmclin. There are about 160 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are generally 

 remarkable for the tenacity of their bast fibres, and also for the 

 mucilage and oil contained in their seeds ; hence the latter are 

 emollient and demulcent. A few of the plants are bitter and 

 purgative, and some are stimulant and sedative. Others are 

 tonic, and some are used for dyeing red. 



Order 86. Humieiace^, the Hinnirium Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Trees or shrubs with a balsamic juice. Leaves alternate, 

 simple, coriaceous, exstipulate. Calyx 5-partite, imbricate. 

 Petals 5, imbricate. Stamens hypogynous, 20 or more, mona- 

 delphous ; anthers 2-cened ; connective elongated beyond the 

 anther lobes. Ovary superior, usually surrounded by a disc, 5- 

 celled; ovules 1 or 2 in each cell, suspended; style simple; 

 stigma 5-lobed. Frtdt drupaceous, 5-celled, or fewer-celled by 



