326 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



Flowers symmetrical. Calyx 5-partite, coloured, imbricate. 

 Petals 5, alternate with the divisions of the calyx, imbricate. 

 Stamens 5, alternate with the petals, and inserted with them on 

 a large disc. Ovary superior, composed of 2 or 3 carpels, 

 which are more or less distinct ; ovules numerous ; styles 2 or 3, 

 united at the base. Fruit fleshy or membranous. Seeds as- 

 cending, with a bony testa ; embryo straight ; albumen little or 

 none. TJiis order is notv frequently placed in SapindacecB. 



Distribution and Numbers. — They are scattered irregularly 

 over the globe. Illustrative Genus : — Staphylea, Linn. There 

 are about 14 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The bark of some species is bitter and 

 astringent, as that of Euscaphis staphyleoides. Others have 

 oily and somewhat purgative seeds, as Staphylea pinnata, &c.- 



Order 115. Sabiacbje, the Sabia Order. — Diagnosis. — This is 

 a small order of plants, containing only 9 species, forming 2 

 genera which were formerly placed as doubtful genera of the 

 Anacardiacese ; but the Sabiaoese differ essentially from the 

 Anarcardiacese, in their stamens being opposite to the petals ; 

 in their distinct carpels ; and in their solitary ovules being 

 directly attached to the ventral suture. Miers and Blume 

 regard the Sabiacese as related to Menispermacese and Lardiza- 

 balaoea3. Bentham, and Hooker include the Melioamece of the 

 SapindacecB in this order. 



Distribution, Properties, and Uses. — Natives of the East 

 Indies. Their properties are altogether unknown. 



Order 116. AnacahdiacejB, the Cashew-nut Order. — Cha- 

 racter. — Trees or shrubs, with 

 alternate, simple or compound, 

 dotless, exstipulate leaves, and a 

 milky acrid or resinous juice. 

 Flowers regular, small, and fre- 

 quently unisexual. Calyx per- 

 sistent, with usually 5, or some- 

 times 3, 4, or 7 lobes. Petals 

 equal in number to the divisions 

 of the calyx, perigynous, imbricate ; 

 sometimes absent. Stamens alter- 

 nate with the petals, and of the 

 same number, or twice as many, 

 or even more munerous ; peri- 

 gynous, and united at the base if 

 there is no disc, but if this is present then distinct and inserted 



Pig. 1091. 



Fig. 1091. Plowering braucli of the 

 Rhus Cotinus, or Wig-tree, with 

 one branch bearing fruit, and the 

 others covered with hair-like ap- 

 pendages a«id sterile. 



