DICOTYLEDONES— DISCIFLOR^ 317 



Distribution and Numbers. — They are found more or less 

 in all the tropical parts of the globe, but are said to be more 

 common in America and Asia than in Africa. A few are extra- 

 tropical. Illustrative Genera : — Melia, Linn. ; Aglaia, Lour. 

 There are about 150 species. 



Pro2}erties and ZTses. — These plants are generally remarkable 

 for bitter, tonic, and astringent properties. Others are power- 

 ful purgatives and emetics, as Guarca Aubleiii, G. trichilioides, 

 G. pnrgans, G. spiciflora., and some species of Trichilia ; these 

 all require much caution in their administration, and in some 

 cases are repu.ted poisonous. A few species have edible fruits. 

 The seeds of some yield fixed oils by expression. 



Order 100. Cbdeelace^, the Mahogany Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Trees. Leaves alternate, pinnate, exstipulate. Calyx 

 4 — 5-cleft, imbricate. Petals hypogynous, of the same number 

 as the divisions of the calyx, imbricate Stamens twice as 

 many as the petals and divisions of the calyx, either united 

 below into a tube, or distinct and inserted into an annular 

 hypogynous disc ; anthers 2-celled, with longitudinal dehis- 

 cence. Ovary usually with as many cells as there are divisions 

 to the calyx and corolla, or rarely only 3; ovules 4 or more, in 

 two rows, anatropous ; style and stigtna simple. Fruit capsular, 

 dehiscence usually septifragal. Seeds flat, winged, attached to 

 axile placentas ; albumen fhm or none ; embryo straight, erect, 

 with the radicle next the hilum. This order is now frequently 

 incorporated willi Meliaceai. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Chiefly natives of the tropical 

 parts of America and India ; they are very rare in Africa. Illus- 

 trative Genera: — Swietenia, Linn.; Soymida, Adr. Juss 

 There are about 25 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order have fra^ 

 grant, aromatic, tonic, astringent, and febrifugal properties, 

 and many of them are valuable timber -trees. 



Order 101. Chailletiace^e, the Chailletia Order. — Charac 

 ter. — Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, entire, stipulate 

 Calyx, inferior, with 5 sepals ; mstivaiion induplicate. Stamens 

 10, perigynous, in two alternate whorls, the outer petaloid and 

 sterile ; but the latter whorl more resembles a corolla. Ovary 

 superior, 2 — 3-celled, with twin suspended ovules. Fruit dry, 

 1 — 3-celled. Seerfs exalbuminous. This order has been variously 

 placed, but is more commonly referred here. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives of tropical regions. 



