476 
MYRMECODIA 
more phellogens appear like the first, adding more parenchyma and 
forming new cavities which are always in communication with the 
old. It has not been proved that the ants are of any service to the 
plant, so that it remains very doubtful whether M. is a truly myrme- 
cophilous plant (see Acacia, Cecropia). The tuber seems rather 
to be a water-storage apparatus (p. 175). [See Goebel’s PjlanzenbioL 
Schild Treub in Ann. Buitenz. III. and VII., Karsten, in do. xn.] 
Myrothamnaceae. Dicotyledons (Archichl. Rosales). An order allied 
to Cunoniaceae, chiefly noteworthy for the dioecious achlamydeous 
flrs., which are apparently wind-fertilised. The only genus is Myro- 
thamnus. Placed in Hamamelidaceae by Benth. -Hooker. 
Myrothamnus Welw. Myrothamnaceae. 2 sp. S. Afr. and Madag. 
Myroxylon Forst. ( Xylosma Forst. f.). Flacourtiaceae. 45 sp. trop. 
(exc. Afr.). 
Myroxylon Linn. f. =Toluifera Linn, (same specific names). 
Myrrhis (Tourn.) Linn. Umbelliferae (5). 4 sp. Eur., W. As., N. 
Am. M. odorata Scop, in Brit, (sweet cicely or myrrh), sometimes 
used as a pot-herb. 
Myrsinaceae. Dicotyledons (Sympet. Primulales). 23 gen. with 550 
sp., chiefly trop. and subtrop. ; a few sp. reach Cape Col., N. Z. and 
Florida. They are shrubs and trees with alt. leaves, often in rosettes. 
In some (e.g. Theophrasta, q.v.) the young twigs are covered with 
thorny scales. The leaves are usually leathery, entire, exstip., with 
resin-passages in their tissues. Firs, solitary (Deherainea) or in race- 
mose infls., with 2 bracteoles, g or unisexual, actinomorphic, 4- or 5- 
merous. K (5); C (5); A 5, epipetalous and opp. to the petals ; anthers 
introrse or extrorse; staminodes sometimes present, alt. with petals. 
G superior, rarely inf. or semi-inferior, i-loc. ; placenta basal or free- 
central with few or 00 ovules, semi-anatropous or semi-campylotro- 
pous, sunk in placentar tissue. Style and stigma simple. As the 
fruit ripens, most of the ovules usually abort, and there results a one- 
or few-seeded drupe. Embryo straight or slightly curved; endosperm 
fleshy or horny. 
Classification and chief genera (after Pax) : the M. are closely allied 
to Primulaceae, being distinguished chiefly by the habit and the fruit. 
They also approach Sapotaceae, but the latter have a chambered 
ovary. 
A. Anther loculaments not chambered : 
I. THEOPHRASTOIDEAE (Ovary sup. Staminodes): Theo- 
phrasta, Jacquinia, Clavija, Deherainea. 
II. MYRSINOIDEAE (Ovary sup. No staminodes) : Embelia, 
Myrsine, Ardisia. 
III. MAESOIDEAE (Ovary inf. or semi-inf.) : Maesa. 
B. Anther loculaments transversely chambered. 
IV. AEGICERA TOIDE AE: Aegiceras. 
[Placed in Primulales by Benth. -Hooker, in Primulinae by Warming.] 
