Genus CHIONANTHUS, Lmn. 



Oleaceae. 



Syst. Nat. 



Diandria Monogynia. 

 Sysl. Lin. 



Derivation. From the Greek chion, snow, and antfws, a flower, in reference to the snow-while flowers of the species. 



Generic Characters. Calyx small, 4-parted, or 4-toothed. Corolla with a short tube and a 4-parted limb; 

 segments of the limb long and linear. Style hardly any. Stigma 2-lobed. Anthers almost sessile 

 Drupe baccate, containing a striated nut. Seeds albuminous. Don, Milltis Diet. 



I HE order to which this genus belongs embraces trees and shrubs, 

 natives of both hemispheres, and for the most part are deciduous. 

 Some of them are timber-trees ; others medicinal, which, in gene- 

 ral, are bitter. One genus, (Olea,) produces a valuable oil; and 

 from others, (Ornus and Fraxinus,) is obtained the sweet purgative 

 manna. The Syringa supplies some of the most beautiful decid- 

 uous shrubs, and the Ligustrum and Phillyrea some useful evergreens. As most 

 of the species of this order may be grafted on one another, it is probable that their 

 flowers might be reciprocally fecundated ; in which case, some curious hybrids 

 might be produced between the privet and the lilac, the privet and the olive, the 

 lilac and the ash, &c. 



