PKOPAGATION OF HABDY TREES AND SHRUBS. 259 



Genus II. 



Paliurus. Christ's Thorn. Pentandria Trigynia. Of this genus we have 

 only one hardy species, viz., (P. aeuleatusj or Christ's Thorn, CP. A. virgatus, 

 of DonJ a twiggy Christ's Thorn, we consider only a variation of (P. acule- 

 atus, of Lam. Belon asserts that the crown of thorns which was put on the 

 head of Christ before his crucifixion was composed of the branches of this 

 plant. Josephus says, that, " this thorn having sharper prickles than any 

 other, in order that Christ might be the more tormented, they made choice 

 of it for a crown for him." Hasselquist says, that the Zizyphas spina Christa, 

 or Christ's Thorn Jujube, was the tree from which the crown of thorns was 

 made which was put upon the head of our Saviour during the cnicifixion. 

 The more general opinion, however, among botanists, is, that the crown was 

 made from the branches of Paliurus aculeatus. Medicinally, it is considered 

 diuretic, and is said to be given with success in dropsical cases, A native of 

 Europe, and in many parts is used for forming hedges ; propagated by seeds, 

 cuttings, or by the roots. 



Genus III. 



BercTiemia. The Berchemia. Pentandria monogynia. Twining deciduous 

 shrubs, of which we have only one hardy species. Native of Carolina ; of 

 easy culture; propagated by seeds, or cuttings of the roots, or by layers. 



Genus IV. 

 Bhamnus. Buck Thorn. Pentandria monogynia. Of this genus we have 

 upwards of twenty-five hardy species, also a considerable number of varieties, 

 and several species not yet introduced into this countrj'. They are deci- 

 duous or evergreen shrubs, one or two of them having the habit of low trees, 

 and some of them are procumbent, with numerous strong thorns ; hence the 

 name of ram, or buck thorn. Deserving of cultivation, particularly R. 

 Alaternus, and its varieties. Also the following : R. hybridus, R. Alpinus, 

 R. catharticus, R. Frangula, R. saxatilis, R. alnifolius, and R. latifolius. Pro- 

 pagated by seeds, cuttings and by layers. 



Genus V. 



Colletia. The Colletia. Pentandria monogynia. Of this genus we have 

 only one hardy species, viz., G. Jiorrida, a most desirable addition to our 

 hardy Ioav shrubs. Propagated by cuttings in sand under glass, and by Chilian 

 seeds, which is the most general mode of propagation in the nurseries. 



Genus VI. 



Ceanothus. Ceanothus, or Eed Boot. Pentandria monogynia. Of this 



beautiful genus of shrubs we have a considerable number of species and 



varieties. They are highly ornamental, and should find a place in every 



garden. Most of the species seed freely, and all are readily propagated by 



cuttings, in a mixture of sand and soil. 



August, 1855. 



(To he continued.) 



