396 LXXIX. BEEXIACE^. 



cyme. Calyx superior, 4-10-partite, valvate in aestivation, persistent. Petals 4- 

 5-7-10, inserted under an annular disk crowning the ovary and lining the calyx, 

 alternate with its segments, aestivation induplicate or contorted. Stamens double 

 or a multiple of the number of the petals, inserted with them, 1-2-seriate ; filaments 

 filiform or compressed ; anth&rs introrse, 2-celled, ovoid or sub-globose, didymous, 

 dehiscence longitudinal. Ovaet inferior or semi-inferior, of 3-4-10 cells ; styles as 

 many as the cells, distinct or more or less coherent ; stigmas free or connate ; ovules 

 numerous, ascending or pendulous, imbricate on projecting central placentas. 

 Capsule 3-10-ceUed, dehiscing at the top loculicidally or septicidally, or rupturing 

 longitudinally along the sides of the receptacular tube. Seeds with a membranous 

 reticulate loose and ample testa. Embeto straight, axile, as long as the copious 

 fleshy albumen ; cotyledons short, semi-cylindric or oval ; radicle long, next the 

 hilum, superior or inferior. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 



* Philadelphus. * Deciimaria. * Deutzia. 



PhilacMphecs approach Saxifragecs, tribe Hydrangea;, in the epigyny, sestivation, and diplostemony of 

 the corolla, the many-ovuled cells of the ovary, distinct styles, capsular fruit, straight albuminous axile 

 embryo, woody stem and opposite leaves. They have some affinities with Onagrariece, founded on the 

 insertion and aestivation of the petals, the numerous pendulous or ascending ovules, and the loculicidal or 

 septicidal capsule ; but Onagrariecs differ in the structure of the testa, and in being exalbuminous. 



PJiiladelphecB inhabit South Europe, Upper India and Japan, but are nowhere numerous. 



The very strongly scented flowers of the Syringa (Philadelphus coronarius), formerly employed as a 

 tonic, have fallen into disuse. The rough leaves of Deutzia scahra are used in Japan to polish wood. 



LXXIX. BREXIACE^, Endlicher. 



Teees or SHEUBS. Leaves alternate, sub-coriaceous, entire or spinous-toothed, 

 exstipulate. Flowees in axillary and terminal umbels. Caltx 6-fid, persistent, 

 BBstivation imbricate. Petals 6, shortly clawed, inserted on the edge of an annular 

 disk, perigynous, testivation contorted (Brexia) or imbricate (Ixerha). Stamens 

 alternate, accompanied by palmate scales which are opposite to the petals, and con- 

 nect the bases of the subulate filaments ; anthers introrse, 2-celled, dehiscence longi- 

 tudinal. OvAET free, of 5 many-ovuled cells ; style short ; stigma 6-lobed ; ovules 

 2-seriate, horizontal, anatropous. Fetjit a 5-sided drupe with papillose epicarp and 

 bony endocarp, or a loculicidal capsule (Ixerha). Seeds horizontal, shortly funicled, 

 ovoid-angular, shining ; testa membranous. Embeto [almost] exalbuminous, straight; 

 cotyledons obtuse ; radicle cylindric. 



This little group is composed of the genera Srexia, Ixerha and Argophylhim ; ' Brexia inhabits 

 Madagascar, Ixerha Australia, and Argophyllum New Caledonia. Endlicher places Brexiacece after 

 8a.iifragece, as being near the tribe Mcalloniece ; in both, in fact, the stem is woody, the leaves alternate, 



' Argophyllum differs notably in the valvate calyx, copious albumen and minute embryo.— Ed. 



