LXXII. SABIACE^. 859 



4, hypogynous, inserted within the disk, nearly central, didynamous and a little 

 inclined ; anthers introrse, 2-celled, ovoid-oblong, dehiscence longitudinal. Ovaet 

 oblong, 4-lobed, 4-celled; style central, arched, fistular, {nrvowedi;. stigma 4-toothed ; 

 ovules 2-4 in each cell, 2-seriate on the inner angle above the middle, ascending or 

 horizontal, anatropous. Capsule papery, deeply 4-lobed, with 4 1 -seeded cells 

 opening ventrally at the top. Seeds sub-globose, without aril ; testa criistaceous, 

 shining ; hilwm conical, foveolate ; -albumen copious, fleshy or horny. Embeto small, 

 green ; cotyledons linear-oblong ; radicle thickened at the tip. 



GENERA. 

 Melianthus. Bersama. Greyia. 



The genus Melianthus, which was formerly placed in Zygophyllece, is separated from it by its irregular 

 and racenaed flowers, perigynous and isostemonous petals, and ascending ovules. It is only distinguished 

 from 8apindace<B by its albuminous ' seed ; and it has therefore been annexed to this family by Planchon 

 and Bentham and Hooker, together with the genus Bersama, which differs in its often polygamous 

 flowers, its stamens all (or two only) united at the base, its one-ovuled ovarian cells, its capsule with 

 four semi-septiferous valves, and its arillate seeds. [The remarkable and beautiful Natal genus Qreyia 

 is referred here by Bentham and Hooker ill. (Gen. PI. p. 1000), and though exstipulate, is regarded as a 

 member of Melianthem with partially consolidated carpels, which, being united by the margins only, 

 enclose one cell with parietal placentas. The fruit breaks up into five follicles.- — Ed.] 



Melianthus inhabits South Africa ; one species has been introduced into Nepal [no doubt in gardens 

 only. The whole plant has a remarkably heavy smell. — Ed.]. 



The sugary-vinous nectar secreted by the disk of M. major is much sought by colonists and natives 

 of the Cape. That of M, minor is thicker and less esteemed. 



LXXII. SABIAGE^, Blume? 



[Shrubs or trees, erect or scandent or sarmentose, with watery juice, glabrous 

 or with simple hairs. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, simple or pinnate, entii-e or 

 serrate, penninerved. Ineloeesoence various, usually panicled. Elowees S of 

 polygamo-dioecious, small or minute. Calyx 4-5-partite, imbricate in bud. Petals 

 4-5, equal or unequa,!, inserted on the receptacle, alternate with or opposite to the 

 sepals, imbricate in bud. Disk small, annular, lobed, rarely tumid. Stamens 4-5, 

 inserted at the base or on the top of the disk opposite the petals, free or adnate to 

 the petals, rarely all equal and fertile with thick filaments, often 2 opposite the inner 

 smaller petals, perfect with clavate or obcuneate filaments, and 3 antherless scale- 

 like ; anthers didymous, separated by a thick connective, or dehiscing transversely 

 or by a deciduous calyptra ; pollen minute, globose. Ovart sessile, 2-8-celled, com- 

 pressed or 2-3-lobed ; styles connate or cohering, with stigmatiferous tips, or stigmas 

 simple, sessile on the lobes of the ovary ; ovules 1-2 in each cell, collateral or super- 

 imposed, horizontal or pendulous, raphe ventral, micropyle inferior, remote from the 

 funicle. Eeuit of 1 or 2 dry or drupaceous indehiscent carpels, often sub-globose, 



' Staphylm having albuminous seeds completely unites these families. — En. 

 ,'■' This order is omitted in the original. — En. 



