Part 106. The magnolia family (Magnoliaceae) is a comparatively small group well represented by magnolias (Magnolia), the tulip-tree (Liriodendron), and star-anise (Illicium). At first sight there might seem to be small resemblance between these and crowfootlike plants; but let us see upon what points of difference we can exclude them from the crowfoot family.

The seeds are essentially the same as those of the crowfoot family in having a small uncoiled embryo in copious albumen. The fruit of star-anise consists of follicles, much like those of the marsh-marigold, though with only one seed in each; while the carpels of the tulip-tree ripen into achenes differing from those of anemonies mainly in having wing-like outgrowths. Such winged fruits are termed samaras.1 The magnolia fruit consists of a cone-like aggregation of follicles differing from those of star-anise in dehiscing by a dorsal suture, and in producing one or two seeds which have a fleshy outer layer of bright color, and which dangle on slender threads when ripe. Neither the andrcecium nor the perianth present any new features. Nor do we find anything essentially different in regard to the inflorescence or the leaves except that in the tulip-tree and magnolia there are leafletlike appendages at the base of the petiole. These stipules,2 as they are called, serve as organs of protection for the unex-panded leaves. In these plants they soon fall off, and so do not appear in the figures. Well-developed stipules are shown in figures 159,2 and 271. Somewhat similar expansions serving for protection occur at the base of marsh-marigold leaves; but these, although suggesting stipules, are not regarded as sufficiently developed to deserve the name. The leaves of star-anise, as of the crowfoot family, are exstipulate,3 that is, without stipules. Finally, as regards their habit,4 or general appearance, the tulip-tree is, as its name implies, a tree, while the species of magnolia and star-anise are either trees or shrubs.

1 Sa-ma'ra - L. samara, the winged fruit of the elm.

2 Stip'ule - L. sti-pula, stubble, diminutive of stipes, stalk, the stipules in their relation to the petiole being likened to the short stubble standing at the base of a stalk of grain.

3 Ex-stip'u-late - L. ex, without; stipula, stipule.

4 Hab'it - L. habitus, appearance.

The result of our examination thus far is to show that star-anise in several particulars forms a good link connecting the tulip-tree with members of the crowfoot family, and we have not yet found a single feature which will serve to distinguish all of the magnolia family from all of the crowfoot family.

This resemblance will appear still more plainly if we express in formulas the facts observable in our examples. Let us indicate the presence of stipules by an inverted dagger sign, a wing on the pericarp by an inverted interrogation mark, and dorsal dehiscence by >. We may then write our formulas of Magnolia, Illicium, and Liriodendron 3 as shown on pages 404, 405.

3 The plant formulas referred to in this and succeeding sections, together with the ranunculaceous formulas already given, are grouped on pages 404-427 to facilitate their being compared with one another.

If we added to these examples other magnoliaceous genera we should of course introduce some new variations of structure, but these would afford us no better family characters. A formula typical of the family would still be the same as that given below the three genera mentioned.

Comparing our magnoliaceous formulas with the ranunculaceous ones we find that while prevailing features differ-so much so indeed as to make it desirable to group the plants in separate families-the departures from the type in one family often match those of the other.

There is, however, a general difference, not shown in the figures, which serves to separate the two groups. All members of the magnolia family have in the leaf-pulp, floral leaves, pith, and other soft parts, minute reservoirs of volatile oil, which are entirely lacking in the crowfoot family. These little reservoirs may be seen readily with a hand lens by viewing a leaf, petal, or slice of pith against the light, when they appear as translucent, scattered dots. This oil it is which renders the flowers of the family fragrant, and gives its flavor to the fruit of star-anise. Scarcely a trace of such odors are to be found in the crowfoot family.

We may therefore define the magnolia family as woody plants having fragrant, solitary, regular flowers, more or less like those of the crowfoot family, but with minute reservoirs of volatile oil in various parts.