107 
Properties. The fruit of several species of SpoiidicU is eatable in the 
West Indies, where they are called Hog Plums. 
GENERA. 
Spondias, L. 
Poupartia, Comm. 
Lannea, G. et P. 
Alliance III. RHAMNALES, 
Essential Character. — ^Estivation of the calyx valvate. Carpels fewer than four, 
sometimes slightly adhering to the calyx. Hairs if present never starry. All shrubs. 
About the strict relationship of Rhamnacese, Chailletiaceae, and Nitrariaceae, 
there will probably be little difference of opinion. These three orders, especi- 
ally the first, are only to be distinguished from certain Euphorbiaceae with some 
difficulty ; Rhamnales were formerly considered a part of the same order as Ce- 
lastraceae. Tremandraceae are usually reckoned next akin to Polygalaceae, 
but it seems to me better to remove them from the immediate vicinity of that 
order, on account of their calyx not having the strongly imbricated structure 
of that order. Burseraceae are allied to Spondiaceae in this, and to Amyrida- 
ceae in the apocarpous alliance, and is one of the cases that connect the two. 
Order LXXXII. RHAMNACE^. The Buckthorn Tribe. 
Rhamni, Juss. Gen. 376. (1789). — Rhamne^, DC. Prodr. 2. 19. (1825) ; Brongniart 
Mtmoire sur les Rhamntes, (1826) ; Lindl. Syndps. 72. (1829). 
Essential Character. — Calyx monophyllous, 4-5-cleft, with a valvate aestivation. 
Petals distinct, cucullate, or convolute, inserted into the orifice of the calyx, occasionally 
wanting. Stamens definite, opposite the petals. Disk fleshy. Ovary superior, or half 
superior, 2-3- or 4-celled ; ovules solitary, erect. Fruit fleshy and indehiscent, or dry and 
separating in 3 divisions. Seeds erect ; albumen fleshy, seldom wanting ; embryo almost 
as long as the seed, with large flat cotyledons, and a short inferior radicle. — Trees or shrubs, 
often spiny. Leaves simple, alternate, very seldom opposite, with minute stipules. Floivers 
axillary or terminal. 
Anomalies. Sometimes the ovary is inferior. Leaves opposite in Colletia and Reta- 
nilla. Stipules and petals often wanting. 
Affinities. Under this name have been for a long time confounded four 
orders, very different in characters, and even in natural affinities, the peculiari- 
ties of three of which have been pointed out by Ad. Brongniart in his memoir 
upon the subject, and a fourth has been distinguished by myself. These orders 
are Rhamnacese properly so called, Celastracese, Aquifoliaceae, and Staphylea- 
cese, the respective affinities of which will be found under each. Brongniart 
indicates the relation that Rhamnacese bear, thus : if we take the insertion of 
stamens as the most important distinction of plants, it wiU be found that 
among polypetalous orders with perigynous stamens, Pomese are those to 
which Rhamnacese have the closest relation, agreeing with them in the ovary, 
the cells of which are determinate in number, in the ascending ovules, and in 
their alternate leaves usually having two stipules at their base ; the number 
and position of their stamens, and the structure of their seeds, separate them 
widely. But if the insertion of the stamens is left out of consideration, they 
