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A f f in it ie s . Whether an order or sub-order this tribe certainly forms, through Hydran-
geae, the connecting link between Saxifrageae and Myrtaceae, and seems even to render it
probable that a more natural distribution would be, to unite Hydrangeae with Philadelpheae,
and thus form an order intermediate but distinct from both. This, in fact, has already
been partly accomplished by DeCandolle, who has placed Deutzia among his Hydrangeae, while
all others, with one exception, place it in Philadelpheae. Bartling places it among his genera
incertae sedis. 1 his is merely thrown out as a suggestion not being myself in possession of
materials to follow out the enquiry.
G eographical D istribution. Deutzia is found in Japan and India, Decumaria is an
American genus, and Philadelphus is indigenous in Europe, America, and the north of India—
Nothing seems to be known of their properties.
LXVI.—ONAGRARLE.
This, like thé preceding, is an order on the limits of which Botanists seem greatly to differ in
opinion; some, Brown,DeCandolle, &c., considering Onagrariae and Halorageae distinct orders,
while others, Lindley and Meisner, view them as parts of one more extensive group, which they
call O nagraci^ j including, according to the former, (Lindley) as sub-orders—Circeae, Hydro-
caryes, and Halorageae ; to which Meisner adds, Callitrichineae and Ceratophylleae. But of
these Lindley disposes very differently, by sending Callitrichineae as a distinct order to the
imperfect flowered division of the system, while he views Ceratophylleae as a sub order of
Urticeae. Endlicher (genera plantarum) on the other hand retains both as distinct orders, placing
them along with Podostemmeae near Piper aceae.
In the midst of these conflicting opinions I confess myself altogether incompetent to decide
which is right, but will adopt a middle course. With this view I retain Onagrariae and Halo-
rageae as distinct orders, but exclude Callitrichineae from the latter, as I formerly did Ceratophylleaefrom
Salicareae, both to be afterwards considered along with P odostemmeae, specimens
of a species of which I have received from both Ceylon and the Neilgherries, further, viewing
the genera Circcea and Trapa as sufficiently distinct from all' those of the true Onagrariae
to warrant their partial separation, I shall follow Lindley in considering these as sub-orders.
Thus limited, this order includes only two genera from the south of India, Jussicea and Lud-
icigia, though it is probable Epilobium will yet be added, as some species of it are found on the
Himalayas, and I think I have seen one from Ceylon and another from the Neilgherries, but
probably introduced.
Of Circcta I have one species from the Neilgherries and Pulney mountains. Trapa has
been long known in India.
Most of the true Onagrariae are herbaceous plants or tender shrubs, with angular or round
stems and opposite or alternate simple leaves, either sessile, or attenuated at the base into a
short petiol, often dentate or serrated, but rarely pinnatifid, dotless and exstipulate. In the
few met with in India they are quite entire. The flowers are bi-sexual. regular, axillary and
solitary, or racemose.and, with-scarcely an exception, all the parts regular multiples of two, four
being the prevalent number.
The following is Dr. Lindley’s character of the order.
“ Calyx superior, tubular, with the limb 4-lobed; the lobes cohering in various degrees,
with a valvate aestivation. Petals generally equal in number to the lobes of the calyx, into the
throat of which they are inserted, regular, with a twisted aestivation. Stamens four or eight
inserted into the calyx: filaments distinct; pollen triangular, usually cohering by threads.
Ovary of several cells, generally crowned by a disk; style filiform; stigma either capitate or
4-lobed. Fruit baccate or capsular, many-seeded, with 4 cells. Seeds numerous, without albu-
inen; embryo straight; radicle long and taper; cotyledons very short. Herbaceous plants or
shrubs. Leaves alternate or opposite, simple, entire or toothed. Flowers red, purple, white,
blue, or yellow, axillary or terminal.”
A f f in it ie s . In habit they are allied to Salicareae, from which they are distinguished b y
their ovary cohering with the tube of the calyx, not free as in them.