48 
Somewhere here will probably have to be stationed Aristotelia, of which 
Von Martins has lately formed his 
MAQUINiE, 
Maquin^, Martins Conspectus, No. 256 (1835). 
The genus Aristotelia, commonly referred to Homaliaceae, or by Don to 
Elaeocarpacese, is placed by Von Martins near Pittosporacese, Celastracese, and 
Nitrariaceae. To me it seems more akin to Philadelpliaceae ; its definite seeds 
distinguish it from that order, as its imbricated petals do from Cornaceae. 
Possibly it stands in some such relation to Philadelphus as Eugenia to Lep- 
tospermum. 
GENUS. 
Aristotelia, L. 
AllIxVnce III. CORNALES. 
Essential Character. — Mstivation of corolla valvate. 
' It does not seem to me possible to question the strict affinity of the three 
orders comprehended under this alliance, so close is their resemblance in all 
essential points. Independent of their mutual affinity they are related most 
ne'arly on the one hand with Alangiaceae through Hamamelaceae, and on the 
other with Cornaceae through Loranthaceae. 
Order XXXI. HAMAMELACE^. The Witch-Hazel Tribe. 
Hamamelide^e, R. Br. in AheVs Voyage to China, (1818) ; A. Richard Nouv, Eltm. 
532. (1828) ; DC. Prodr. 4. 267. (1830.) 
Essential*Character. — Calyx superior, in 4 pieces. Petals 4, linear, with a valvular 
aestivation. Stamens 8, of which 4 are alternate with the petals ; their anthers turned 
inwards, 2-celled, and 4 are sterile, and placed at the base of the petals ; the dehiscence of 
the anthers variable. Ovary 2-celled, inferior ; ovules solitary, pendulous or suspended ; 
styles 2. Fruit half inferior, capsular, usually opening with two septiferous valves. Seeds 
pendulous ; embryo in the midst of fleshy (horny) albumen ; radicle superior. — Shrubs. 
Leaves alternate, deciduous, toothed, with veins running from the midrib straight to the 
margin. Stipules deciduous. Flowers small, axillary, sometimes unisexual. 
Affinities. Distinguished from Saxifragacese by the deciduous valves of 
the anthers, definite seeds, and shrubby stem bearing alternate leaves and de- 
ciduous stipules. In the latter respect related to Cupulaceae, from which the 
petals and calyx divide them. According to Brown, their affinity is on the 
one hand with Bruniaceae, from which they are distinguished by the insertion 
and dehiscence of the anthers, the monospermous cells of the ovary, the dehi- 
scence of the capsule, the quadrifid calyx and habit ; and on the other with 
Comus, Marlea, and the neighbouring genera ; in some respects also with 
Araliaceae, but difiering in their capsular fruit, the structure of the anthers, 
and other marks, AheVs Voyage, Appendix. Du Petit Thouars looks upon 
them as allied to Rhamnacese, and Jussieu to Haloragese. Others consider 
them akin to Amentaceae and Euphorbiacese through Fothergilla. The fact 
seems to be, that, from the variety of opinion, none of these speculations are 
well founded. For my own part I do not see where they are to range if not 
