DICOTYLEDONES— CALYCIPLOE^ 349 



style simple ; stigma lobed or capitate. Fruit dehiscent or in- 

 dehiscent. Seeds numerous, without albumen. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Chiefly natives of the temperate 

 parts of Korth America and Europe ; many are also found in 

 India, but they are rare in Africa, except at the Cape. Illus- 

 trative Genera : — CEnothera, Linn. ; Circsea, Tourn. There are 

 about 300 species. 



Properties and, Uses. — Generally the plants are harmless 

 and possess mucilaginous properties. The roots of Qi^nothera 

 biennis and other species of the same genus are edible. The 

 fruits of many Fuchsias are somewhat acid and good to eat. 

 Some species of Jussicea are astringent. 



Cohort 3. — Passiflorales. 



Order 1A6. SamydaoejE, the Samyda Order. — Character. 

 Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, simple, evei^green, stipu- 

 late, usually with round or linear transparent glands. Calyx 

 inferior, 4 — 5-partite. Petals absent. Stamens perigynous, 2, 

 3, or 4 times as many as the divisions of the calyx ; filam^ents 

 united, some of them frequently without anthers ; anthers 2- 

 celled. Ovary superior, 1-celled ; style 1, fihform ; placentas 

 parietal, bearing numerous ovules. Fruit capsular, leathery, 1- 

 celled. Seeds numerous, ariUate, with oily or fleshy albumen ; 

 embryo large. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Exclusively tropical, and prin- 

 cipally American. Illustrative Genera : — Samyda, Linn. ; 

 Casearia, Jacq. There are more than 100 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance. They are com- 

 monly bitter and astringent. 



Order 147. HomaliacBjE, the Homalium Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Trees or shrubs, with alternate leaves. Calyx superior, 

 funnel-shaped, with from 5 to 15 divisions. Petals equal in 

 number to, and alternate with, the divisions of the calyx. Sta- 

 mens opposite to the petals and inserted on them, either distinct 

 or in bundles of 3 or 6. Owa./'(/ inferior, l-oel!ed; placentas 

 parietal; ovules numerous; styles 8 — 5. Fruit a capsule or 

 berry. Seeds small; embryo in the axis of a little fleshy albu- 

 men. This order is included in Samydac'ece by Bentham and 

 Hooker. 



Distribution and Numbers. — They are natives of the tropi- 

 cal parts of India, Africa, and America. Illustrative Genera : — 

 Homalium, Jacq. ; Trimeria, Ha/rv. There are about 36 spe- 



