Page:Illustrations of Indian Botany, Vol. 2.djvu/141

ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY-

69 quaternary not quinary in the number of the parts of the flower. With Hamamelidacece, another obscure order in regard to its affinities, they coincide in some important points, especially in the number of cells of the ovary, the position of the ovules and the structure of the seed.

They have also been compared with Loranthaceae, but if the views given above of the affinities of that order be correct, this family can have no relationship with them, or at all events it must be very remote. Lindley indeed remarks, "in many respects Cornals resemble Loranths from which they differ among other things in the stamens being opposite the sepals," which I presume is a mere slip of the pen, as he afterwards shows that the parts of the flower in Loranths called petals are actually sepals, in which case the position of the stamens is the same in both families, and, indeed, is their normal position in all cases where the number of sepals and stamens are equal. Upon the whole, so far as the Indian flora is concerned, the true place for this order is between Araliacece and Hamamelidacece, wherever these may be placed, while Loranthacea? should be removed to be placed among the monochlamydeous orders near Santalacece.

As already stated, the species of this family are almost exclusively extra-tropical, the temperate and frigid zones of Europe, and Asia, and America, being their native countries. Four species have been found on the Himalayas, but as yet none on the more Southern ranges of mountains. A few are natives of Japan.

The bark of some of the American species is esteemed a tonic and lauded as affording a febrifuge nearly emulating the more celebrated Peruvian bark in its power of arresting intermittent fever. No such property has yet been discovered in any of the Indian species, which in their native countries are principally held in repute for the excellence of their timber. In Europe the fruit of some of the species of Cornus is eat, and that of Cornus suiceca, a rather common plant in the Highlands of Scotland, is said to be a good tonic, increasing the appetite. In Nepaul, Dr. Royle states, the fruit of Cornus is little esteemed, but that that of Benthamea is eaten on the Hills.

A. B.

Benthamea fragifera. Cornus macrophylla.

Flowering branch, natural size. 1. Portion of corymb.

1. Capitulum of flowers. 2.-3. Expanded flower, front and back views.

2. Same cut vertically, showing the globose recepticle. 4. Anthers, front and back views.

3. An unexpanded flower-bud. 5. Stigma.

4. -5. Open flowers ; and 6. Detached petal. 6. Ovary cut vertically.

7. Anthers, back and front views. 7. cut transversely.

8. Style and stigma. All more or less magnified.

9. Flower cut vertically, showing the relative position of all its parts.

10. Fruit, immature, cut transversely.

11. Upper and under surfaces of the leaves. All more or less magnified.

This is a small order principally composed of Northern plants, and for the most part great favourites with all who take an interest in the more beautiful productions of the vegetable kingdom. To this family belong the Elder, the Honey-suckle, the Lauristinus, the Guelder-rose, &c. In tropical countries they are of comparatively rare occurrence and are then confined to the more elevated regions partaking the reduced temperature of higher latitudes. Seven species only, have yet been detected in the Indian peninsula, and one of these, an Elder, I consider a doubtful native, the remaining six are all indigenous on the Neilgherries. Only one, so far as I am aware, a Honey-suckle, has yet been introduced into