KEY TO THE NATURAL ORDERS. 
Sdb-kinodom PHANEROGAMIA. 
Reproduction effected by means of stamens and ovules, the latter growing into 
seeds which contain a distinct embryo. 
Class I. DICOTYLEDONS ob EXOGENS. 
Embryo with two cotyledons, the radicle growing out into a root. Stems when 
perennial with a central pith, regular rings of wood and a distinct bark. Leaves 
net-veined. 
Series I. THALAMIPLOR5!. Flowers furnished with both a calyx and 
a corolla, the petals of the latter free down to the base. Stamens hypogynous. 
Exceptions : Monochlamydeous, Clematis, Ludia, Aphloia , Stadtmannia , Doratoxy- 
lon, Dodonaa. Petals united, Cissampelos, Leea. Petals and stamens adnate to the 
torus, Nymplicea. Stamens perigynous, Drymaria. Stamens epipetalous, Olax. 
Ovary inferior and stamens epigynous, Gouania , Phylica. 
* Torus not expanded into a disk. 
I. Ranunculaceae. Carpels many, distinct. Stamens indefinite. Petals in a 
single row (absent in the only Mauritian genus). — Herbs or shrubs ; leaves usually 
alternate, palmately cut (page 1). 
II. Dilleniacese. Carpels many, usually distinct, but connate in the only 
Mauritian genus. Stamens indefinite. Petals in a single row. — Trees or shrubs, 
with alternate entire leaves (page 2). 
III. Anonacese. Carpels many, usually distinct, but cohering in Anona. Petals 
usually in two rows of 3 each. Stamens indefinite. Albumen ruminated. — Trees 
or shrubs, with alternate entire leaves (page 2). 
IV. Menispermacese. Flowers in the single Mauritian genus irregular and 
dioicous, and carpel solitary. Stamens definite. — Twining shrubs, with minute 
flowers and alternate entire leaves (page 4). 
Papaveraceae. Flowers regular. Stamens indefinite, free. Ovary 1 -celled ; 
placentas parietal ; seeds many, albuminous. — Herbs, with alternate leaves and 
milky juice (page 5). 
Fumariacea. Flowers irregular. Stamens in two bundles of 3 each. Ovary 
1 -celled ; seed in our plant solitary, albuminous. — Herbs, with alternate much- 
divided leaves (page 5). 
V. Nymph seacese. Petals and stamens indefinite, in the single Mauritian genus 
adnate to the torus, in which the carpels are sunk. — Aquatic herbs, with large entire 
leaves (page 5). 
VI. Cruciferse. Ovary 2-celled ; parietal placentas 2, joined by a false dissepi- 
