DICOTYLEDONES— DISCIFLOR^ 307 



abortion. Seeds orthotropous, with a narrow embryo lying in 

 fleshy albumen. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives of tropical America. 

 Illustrative Genera : — Humirium, Mart. , Vantanea, Aubl. 

 There are 18 species. 



Properties and Uses. — A balsamic yellow oily liquid, called 

 Balsamof Umiri, is obtained from the incised stem oiHumirium 

 Horibundum ; this is reputed to resemble Copaiba in its proper- 

 ties. The bark is used by the Brazilians as a perfume. 



Older 87. Malpighiaoe^, the Malpighia Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Trees or shrubs, often climbing. Leaves usually opposite 

 or whorled, rarely alternate ; stipules generally short and 

 deciduous, sometimes large and interpetiolar ; the leaves are 

 occasionally furnished with peltate hairs. Flowers perfect or 

 polygamous. Calyx 5-partite, persistent, frequently with glands 

 at the base of one or all of the divisions ; (estivation imbricate 

 or rarely valvate. Petals 5, hypogynous, unguiculate ; cestivation 

 convolute. Siamejis usually 10, monadelphous or distinct ; con- 

 nective fleshy and elongated beyond the anther lobes. Ovarij 

 generally consisting of 3 carpels, rarely 2 or 4, partially or wholly 

 combined ; ovu les 1 in each cell, pendulous from a long stalk ; 

 styles 3, distinct or united; stigmas 3, simple. Fruit either 

 drupaceous, samaroid, or a woody nut. Seed solitary, exalbu- 

 minous ; embryo straight or variously curved. 



Diagnosis. — Trees or shrubs, with simple stipulate leaves. 

 Flowers perfect or polygamous. Calyx and corolla with 5 parts ; 

 the sepals havmg usually large glands at the base, and imbricate 

 or very rarely valvate in testivation ; the petals unguiculate, 

 without appendages, hypogynous, convolute. Stamens usually 

 10, sometimes 15, with a fleshy prolonged connective. Ovary 

 generally composed of 3 carpels, or in any case not corresponding 

 in number to, or being any power of, the three outer whorls ; 

 ovules solitary, pendulous from long stalks. Seeds exalbuminous, 

 usually with a convolute embryo. 



Distribution and Numbers. — They are almost exclusively 

 natives of tropical regions. Illustrative Genera .- — Malpighia, 

 Plum. ; Byrsonima, liich. ; Nitraria. There are about 580 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — An astringent property appears to be 

 most general in the plants of this order. Some have edible 

 fruits, and the seeds of others are reputed to be poisonous. 



Order 88. ZYGOPHYLLACEa;, the Bean-caper or Guaiacum 

 Order. — Character. — Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves opposite, 



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