Order IV
ANNONACEÆ.
The plants of this order are closely allied to Magnoliaceæ, from which they are principally distinguished by the absence of stipulæ, and by the structure of their anthers and seeds. The latter consist of a hard mass of absence of stipulæ, and by the structure of their anthers and seeds. The latter consist of a hard mass of albumen, ruminated, as the botanists call it, that is to say, perforated by the substance of the seed-coat, in every direction. They are all trees or shrubs, and chiefly inhabitants of the hottest parts of the tropics, but a few have been discovered straggling into the temperate zones of America. The fruit of the Annóna is in many species highly esteemed as an article for the dessert, especially that of the Cherimoyer, which has the reputation of being the finest fruit in the world, next to the Mangosteen. The hard fruits of the species of Uvária are highly aromatic; those of one of them furnish the Piper æthiópicum of the shops. The genus Asímina is the only one which contains any hardy species, and these are so delicate as to be seen very rarely in this country. In Brazil, the bark of Xylópia serícea is used for cordage; for which it is admirably adapted. 1219 Uvária W. 1220 Annóna P. S. 1221 Artabótrys R. Br. 1222 Guattéria R. & P.