BOTANY. 95 
Orper 48. LacistemMace&, the Lacistema Family. Flowers polygamous. 
Perianth in several narrow divisions, covered by an enlarged bract. Sta- 
mens, one, hypogynous; anther having two cells, which are separated by a 
thick, two-lobed connective, and which dehisce transversely. Disk fleshy. 
Ovary superior, one-celled; ovules several, anatropal, attached to two or 
three parietal placentas; stigmas two or three, nearly sessile. Fruit a uni- 
locular, two- or three-valved capsule, with loculicidal dehiscence. Seed 
usually by abortion, solitary, suspended, with a fleshy arillus; spermoderm 
crustaceous; embryo in fleshy albumen; cotyledons flat; radicle cylindrical, 
superior. Small trees or shrubs, with simple, alternate, exstipulate leaves, 
and amentaceous flowers. They are natives of the warm parts of America. 
Their properties are unknown. There are two genera and six species. Ex- 
ample: Lacistema. 
Orpver 49. ATHEROSPERMACE, the Plume-Nutmeg Family. Flowers 
unisexual. Perianth tubular, divided at the top into several segments, in two 
rows, the inner often petaloid, and accompanied in the female flowers with 
a few scales. Male flowers: stamens 00, inserted in the bottom of the 
-perianth ; filaments, with scales at the base; anthers two-celled, with valvu- 
lar dehiscence. Female flowers: ovaries, usually 00; ovule solitary, erect; 
style simple, lateral, or basilar; stigmas, simple. In some flowers, though 
rarely, stamens and pistils are found, and in that case the stamens are 
fewer, and arise from the orifice of the perianth. Fruit consisting of achzenia, 
with persistent, ultimately feathery styles, inclosed within the tube of the 
perianth. Seed solitary, erect; embryo small, at the base of soft, fleshy 
albumen; radicle inferior. Trees with opposite exstipulate leaves, found in 
Australia, and in some parts of South America. They are generally fragrant. 
There are three known genera and four species, according to Lindley. Exam- 
ples: Atherosperma, Laurelia. 
OrveR 50. Monimtace®, the Monimia Family. Flowers unisexual. 
Perianth somewhat globose, in one or more rows, divided at the border. 
Male flowers: stamens indefinite, covering the whole interior of the perianth ; 
filaments, often with two scales at the base; anthers dithecal, with longitu- 
-dinal dehiscence. Female flowers: ovaries several, superior, inclosed within 
the tube of the perianth, each with one style and one stigma; ovule solitary, 
pendulous, anatropal. Fiuit consisting of several achznia, inclosed within 
the enlarged perianth. Seed pendulous: embryo, at the end of copious fleshy 
albumen; radicle superior. ‘Trees or shrubs, with opposite, exstipulate leaves. 
They are natives chiefly of South America and Australia. The bark and 
leaves are aromatic and fragrant. The succulent fruit of some is eaten. 
There are eight known genera and about forty species. Examples: Monimia, 
Boldoa. 
OrpeR 51. Srivacinace#, the Stilago Family. Flowers unisexual. 
Perianth two-, three-, or five-parted. Male flowers: stamens two or more, 
arising from a swollen receptacle; filaments, capillary; anthers innate, two- 
lobed, with a fleshy connective, and vertical cells opening transversely. 
Female flowers: ovary free, one- or two-celled; ovules two, anatropal ; 
stigma sessile, three- to five-toothed. Fruit drupaceous. Seed solitary, 
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