658 CLXXXTX. HEB.NANDIEJ^}. 



Thymdem present an affinity with Santalacea;, ElcBagneo!, and Proieaceif. SantnlaceiB are easily dis- 

 tinguished by the yalvate perianth, the inferior ovary, the ovules reduced to a nucleus, pendulous from 

 a free central placenta, and the abundant albumen ; Eleeagnece by the erect basilar ovule, the often 

 spinescent branches, and the peltate scales : Proteacets differ from Thymelem in the valvate sestivation and 

 infei-ior radicle. Thymdece are scarcely distinguishable from Rosncece, except in habit, their often opposite 

 and exstipulate leaves, the tenacious liber, and acrid vesicant juice. As in Rosacecs, the flower is coloured, 

 and if the petals are absent they are represented by scales accompanying the calyx, the stamens are peri- 

 gynous, the ovary is free, the ovide pendulous and anatropoua, the embryo straight, exalbuminous, &e. 

 In a word, a flower of Dais or Daphne exactly resembles that of some Amygdalea>. 



ThymeleeB mostly inhabit the warm extra-tropical regions of the southern hemisphere, especially 

 Africa and Australia ; thej' are less abundant in the northern temperate hemisphere and between the 

 tropics; they are rarer in America. Daphne belongs to the Old World, Pimelea is spread over the Australian 

 continent [and Xew Zealand], Onidia inhabits South Africa. Lagetta and many other genera are tropical, 

 Dirca is Xorth American, Drapefes temperate South American. Several genera, and especially the sub- 

 order Aguilariece, inhabit tropical Asia. 



This family, a very natural one in its botanical characters, is also so in respect of the properties of its 

 species. The bark and fruit of many contain, besides a bitter extractive, a peculiar green very acrid and 

 active sebaceous matter. The roots of several furnish a yellow dye {Passerina tincforia) ; others have 

 tenacious cortical fibres, which are variously used in hot countries. 



The extremely acrid seeds of the Spurge-flax (Daphne Gniditmi), a native of South Europe, were formerly 

 used as a purgative, but are dangerously powerful in their action ; a decoction of the leaves vras also used, 

 the effect of which is less violent. The bark has a slightly nauseous smell and a corrosive taste; it acts 

 as a caustic when applied to the skin, either entire, powdered, or as an ointment. The Mezereon (Z). 

 Mezereum), the bark of which is extensively used as a medicine in Germany, together with D. aljnna and 

 Cnrorum, all indigenous in France, have the same virulent properties as the Spurge-flax. The leaves and 

 bark of -D. Laureola, a native of woods throughout France, are often used when fresh as an issue by the 

 peasants. Dirca palustris in North America, Lagetta Untearia in South America, Daphne cannabina in 

 India, are similarly used. The leaves of Daphne Tarton^-aira in Sardinia, those of Onidia at the Cape of 

 Good Hope, and the ben-ies of Drimyspermum in Java, are used in the popular pharmacy as purgatives 

 and emetics. 



In India a paper is made from the liber of Daphne cannabina^ and cord is manufactured from that of 

 Lagfitta fnnifera and Untearia in South America [the latter of which produces the beautiful substance 

 called Lace-bark]. 



CLXXXIX. HERNANDIEJi:} 



(Hernandie^, Blume. — Heekandiace^, Bumortier.) 



[Trees. Leaves scattered, coriaceous, petioled, oyate or peltate, quite entire, 

 exstipulate. Flowers moncEcious, in peduncled axillary and terminal cymes, temate 

 in a4-leaved involucre ; central flower $ , 4-merous, sessile in an urceolate persistent 

 involucei ; lateral $ , not involucellate, pedicelled, usually 3-merous. Caltx herba- 

 ceous; tube short, narrow, jointed in the ? , upper part deciduous ; Umh of $ 6-, of ? 

 8-10-partite ; lobes 2-seriate, valvate in gestivation, inner rather narrower. Flowers 

 $ : Stamens 3 (very rarely 4), inserted on the calyx-throat, opposite its outer lobes, 

 conniyent ; filaments short, usually l-2-glandular at the base ; anthers didymous, large, 

 erect, adnate to the large connective, 2-celled, dehiscing longitudinally by a deciduous 

 valve. Flowers ? : Staminodes glandular, opposite the outer calyx-lobes. Ovary 



' This Oi'der is omilti'il in the original. — Ed. 



