XCVI. MELASTOMACEiE: 431 



Tbibe II. OSBECKIE^. — Connective produced at the base. Seeds cochleate (Old and JSTew 

 Worlds). Acisanther-a, Gomolicu, Pterolepis, Macaoria, Pleroma, Brachyota, Ghcetol&pis, Aciiitis, 

 OshecMa, Tristemna, Melastoma, Bissotis, &c. 



Teibe III. Rhexiej). — Connective hardJy produced at the base, spurred posteriorly, not 

 appendaged in front. Seeds cochleate (American). Monoohcetum, Bhexia. 



Teibe IV. Meeianib^. — Connective hardly produced at the base, appendaged or spurred 

 in front, appendage usually erect and inflated. Seeds cuneate, angled or fusiform (American). 

 Axincea, Meriama, Oentronia, Graffenriedia, &o. 



Teibe V. Oxtspoeej:. — Connective hkrdly produced at the base, acute or spurred behind, 

 not appendaged in front. Seeds angled or oblong, raphe usually thickened and produced (Old 

 World). Oxijspora, Allomorpha, Ocliihooliaris, Bredia, &c. 



Teibe VI. Sosteeile^. — Ovary and capsule depressed at the top. Connective simple or 

 appendaged before and behind. Seeds straight or nearly so (Old and New Worlds). Sonerila, 

 Aiiiphiblemma, Bertolonia, Monolena, &c. 



Series II. — Fruit a berry. Stamens usually equal. 



Teibe VII. Medinillbji. — Anthers usually recurved ; connective appendaged behind, or 

 before and behind. Seeds not cochleate (Old World). Marumia, Dissoohmta, Anplectrum, ' 

 Medinilla, Paahycentria, &c. 



Teibe VIII. Miconiej;.— Anthers incurved or recurved, opening by 1-2 pores or slits ; 

 connective rarely produced or appendaged. Seeds various (American). Oxymeris, Galy oo- 

 gonium, Tetrazygia, Gonostegia, Miconia, Tocooa, HeterocJiiivmi, Glidemia, Sagrxa, Belluaia, 

 Loreya, Senriettea, Ossaia, ^&c. 



Teibe IX. Blakej;. — Anthers large, l--2-pored ; connective simple or spurred behind. 

 Flowers involucrate. Leaves with strong veins between the ribs (American). Blahea, 

 Topohea, 



SuB-OEDBB II. A8TB0NIEM. 



Ovary 2-oo -celled ; ovules numerous, placentas at the base or on the outer walls of the 

 cells near their base. Seeds minute (Old World). Astronia, Pternandra, Kibessia. 



Shb-oedee III. MEMEGYLE^. 



Ovary either 1-oelled with the ovules whorled round a central placenta, or several-celled 

 with 2-3 collateral ovules in the inner angles of the cells. Fruit 1-few-seeded. Seeds large 

 (Old and New Worlds). Mourisia, Memecylon. 



Melaitomacem approach Lythrariece in the valvate calyx, inaertion of the petals, diplostemony, 

 several many-ovuled ovarian cells, exalbuminous embryo, opposite or whorled leaves, and especially in 

 the singular structure of the stamens. There is also a real aflSnity between them and MyrtanecB ; in 

 both the petals are inserted on the calyx, the ovary has several many-ovuled cells, the style is simple, the 

 embryo is exalbuminous, the leaves opposite, sometimes even 3-nerved {Rhodomyrtus), and the stem 

 woody; h^t Myrtacete are generally swfeet-scented, and have punctate leaves; their anthers are short, 

 rounded, deprived of appendages, and the petals imbricate in bud. 



Melaslomaeem mos\ly gi-ow in tropical America; a few advance into North America to 40° (Mhexid), 

 None have yet been found in Obili, a few inhabit Asia and Africa. 



The leaves of Melmtoi/iacece are astringent, and of many species slightly acid. The berrieiB also 



