4G 
Sub-Order ? BARRINGTONIE.^:. 
Myrtace^ § Barringtonieee, DC. Prodr. 3. 288, (1828) ; Bart. Ord. Nat. 322. (1830). 
BARRiNGTONiEiE, DC. Dict. Class. Y. XL not. (1826); Martins Conspectus, No. 
319. (1835). 
Affinities. No characters have yet been assigned these plants, by which 
they may be known from Myrtacese, except then* alternate leaves, without se- 
mitransparent dots, and the presence of stipules. The latter pecidiarity, which 
has been assigned to them by Von Martins, does not exist in any one of the 
species I have examined ; so that the substantial distinction is reduced to that 
first mentioned. There is, however, something so peculiar in the appearance 
of these plants, that one can hardly doubt that some good characteristic mark 
will be one day added to those they already possess. 
Geography. The tropics of the old and new world are the exclusive ha- 
bitation of this order. 
Properties. The root of Stravadium racemosum has a shghtly bitter 
but not unpleasant taste. It is considered by the Hindoo Doctors valuable on 
account of its aperient, deobstnient, and coohng properties ; the bark is sup- 
posed to possess properties similar to those of Cinchona. Ainslie, 2. 65. 
The wood of Gustavia urceolata is called Bois puant, because its wood 
becomes, after exposure to the air, exceedinglv foetid. Poiteau, Mem. Mas. 
V. 13. 
GENERA. 
Barringtonia, Forst. 
Butonica, Lam. 
Huttum, Adans. 
Commersona, Lour. 
Mitraria, Gmel. 
Stravadium, Juss. 
Meteorus, Lour. 
Menichea, Lour. 
Gusta\da, L. 
Pirigara, Aubl. 
Spallanzania, Neck. 
Catinga, Aubl. 
Coupoui, Aubl. 
Careya, Roxb. 
Fcetidia, Commers, 
Order XXIX. LECYDITHACE^. 
Lecythide^, Richard, MSS. Poiteau Mem. Mus. 13. 141. (1825) ; DC. Prodr. 3. 290. 
(1828) ; a sect. o/Myrtacese. Ach. Richard in Ann. des Sc. 1. 321. (1824) ; Bartl. 
Ord. Nat. 332. (1830). — Lecythide^, Martins Conspec. No. 320. (1835). 
Essential Character. — Calyx superior, 2- to 6-leaved, or urceolate, with a divided 
limb ; aestivation valvate or imbricated. Corolla consisting of 6 petals, sometimes cohering 
at the base, with an imbricated aestivation. Stamens indefinite,, epigynous, either con- 
nected into a single petaloid cucullate unilateral body, or monad elphous at the base. Ovary 
inferior, 2- to 6-celled ; ovules definite or indefinite attached to the axis ; stigma simple. 
Fruit a woody capsule, either opening with a lid or remaining closed. Seeds several, 
covered by a thick integument ; embryo without albumen, either undivided, or with two 
large plaited leafy or fleshy cotyledons, sometimes folded upon the radicle, which is next 
the hilum. — Large trees, with alternate entire or toothed leaves, with minute deciduous 
stipules, and without pellucid dots. Flowers large, showy, terminal, solitary, or racemose. 
Affinities. Combined by De Candolle and others wdth Myrtacese, from 
w’hich they differ most essentially in their alternate, often serrated, leaves, 
without pellucid dots. For an account of the geraiination of Lecytliis, see 
Du Petit Thouars, Ess. 3. 32. They agree with Bandngtonieae in many re- 
spects, but they have stipules, and their singular hooded stamens are most re- 
mai’kable. It is probable that we have in this place a tendency towards the 
foi-m of Temsti'omiaceae. 
Geography. Natives of the hottest parts of South America, especially of 
Guiana. 
