ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY.
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They are most readily distinguished from the preceding orders, by the insertion of their stamens which in Simarubeae arise from the back of hypogynoas scales like those of Zygophylleae, from which however they are distinguished by their distinct, not. united, ovaries, and from Xanthoxylaceae by the absence of albumen in their seed. They are principally trees.
" Flowers usually bisexual, sometimes unisexual, regular. Calyx 4-5, divided. Petals as many as the sepals and alternate with them, hypogynous, spreading or connivent into a kind of tube : aestivation twisted. Stamens twice as many as the petals : each filament arising from the back of a hypogynous scale : anthers opening longitudinally. Torus a gynophore, bearing the stamens round its base, and the varies on its summit. Ovaries 5 : ovule solitary in each cell, suspended from the inner angle near the apex : styles distinct at the base, but above it uniting into one : stigmas 4-5, distinct, or combined. Fruit of 4-5 indehiscent drupes, arranged round the summit of the gynophore. Seeds pendulous : testa membranaceous. Albumen none. Radicle superior, short, partly concealed within *he thick cotyledons. — Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, without dots, simple or compound."
Affinities. They are allied to Rutaceae and its suborders as well as to Connarnceae and Ochnaceae, by their distinct ovaries and gynobase, but are distinguished from the former by the insertions of their stamens, and from the latter by their pendulous, not erect, ovules, and anthers, not opening by terminal pores, to which however they approach through their exalbuminous seed — Adr. de Jussieu remarks, they are known from all Rutaceous plants by the co existence of these characters ; namely, ovaries with but one ovule, indehiscent drupes, exalbuminous seeds, a membranous integument of the embryo, and by the radicle being retracted within thick cotyledons.
Geographical Distribution. The similarity of the Floras of the western coasts of the Indian peninsula of Ceylon and of the Malayan peninsula, is in many cases very remarkable, and in no case more so than in this : the only two Indian species of the order being found in these localities. Samadew indica is a native of Malabar and Ceylon, while S. lucida is from Martaban. There is one, most probably the latter, cultivated in the gardens about Batavia in Java. A third plant doubtfully referred to this order is found on the Himalayas, but forms a distinct genus.
Properties and Uses. Of this order the well known Quassia so remarkable for its pure and intense bitter is a member, and in that property all the other species partake in a greater or less degree. One species a native of Brazil, is said to be so intensely bitter that no insects will attack it. The Himalayan plant referred to possesses the peculiar bitterness of the family in an eminent degree, as does both the seed and the bark of the plant here figured.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 68.
1. Samadera indica, flowering branch— natural she.
2. A flower partially dissected to show the insertions of the stamens and the ovary.
3. A detached stamen with its attached scale.
4. Stamens and petals removed, showing the elevated gynobase and the ovaries.
5. Ovaries cut transversely, showing the gynophore to which they are attached in the centre.
6. An ovary removed and cut vertically, to show the attachment of the ovule.
7. A cluster of full grown fruit.
8. One of them cut transversely.
9. A seed removed from the capsule.
LI.—OCHNACEAE.
This like the preceding is a small order of tropical plants, for the most part under shrubs. Their most striking feature appertains to the fruit, one unfortunately not so well brought out as it ought and would to have been in the accompanying plate, had it been possible to procure them in a more advanced stage when preparing the drawing. In this order they are seated on a broad fleshy gynobase at first close to each other, but becoming quite distinct, like so many nine-pins, as they advance towards maturity, owing to the gynobase enlarging with their growth.
