FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS 



191 



a cylindric calyx, the corolla being frequently wanting ; the stamens are 

 4-5 or twice as many, borne on the calyx. There are about 37 genera 

 and 425 species, the family being largely represented in Australia and 

 South Africa, but some of the genera exhibiting a wide distribution. 

 One of the largest is Daphne, species of which are found in the temper- 

 ate portions of nearly every continent. D. Mezereum is well-known in 

 Europe and cultivated for its fragrant pink flowers, appearing in spring 



Fig. 168. 



European Mezereon {Daphne Mezereum). 



before the leaves expand. The bark of this and the Spurge Laurel 

 {D. Laareola) has been used in medicine ; it is exceedingly acrid. A 

 very good quality of paper is manufactured from the tough inner bark 

 of certain Asiatic species. 



In the United States the family is represented by the leather- wood 

 or moosewood {Dirca palustris) a shrub vdth small yellow flowers and 

 withe-like stems. In Australia, Phnelea comprises many species, some 

 of which are ornamental in cultivation. 



Family Elaeagnaceae. Oleaster Family. Contains 3 genera and 

 about 20 species of wide distribution. They are shrubs or trees, pecu- 

 liar and conspicuous on account of their silvery-scaly foliage. The 

 flowers are variously clustered and dioecious, the staminate flowers 

 with a 4-parted calyx and 4 or 8 stamens, the pistillate with the upper 



