368 PERIPETALEZ. 
ORDER CX. 
= ; 
‘, RHAMNEZ. 
Cuaaracters.—Trees, or shrubs, with simple (rarely op- 
posite) alternate leaves, generally accompanied by small 
stipules, and small flowers; calyx monosepalous, with 4 or 
5 divisions; corolla of 4 or 5 petals, inserted in the orifice 
of the calyx, sometimes absent; stamens of the same 
number as the petals, often inserted on a perigynous disk : 
ovary generally superior, of 2, 3, or 4 cells, each with 1 
ovule (rarely 2); style simple, sometimes divided at the 
summit, and with as many stigmas as there are cells in the 
ovary ; pericarp sometimes div and capsular, dehiscing by 
3 valves, sometimes fleshy ; seed with an erect embryo and 
a fleshy albumen. 
Exampte.—Purging Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus ), 
the berries of which, when prepared with gum-arabic and 
lime-water, yield a green dye. 
_ _Mepicrvat, Prorerties.—The berries of Rhamnus ca- 
tharticus are bitter and nauseous, and act as purgatives, and 
other species act in a similar way, as R. Frangula, R. infee- 
 torius. Ceanothus americanus and Prinos verticillatus have 
leaves and bark very bitter and astringent, and in some 
_ placesare used as tonics. The fruit of the Jujube (Ziziphus 
__ Jujuba) is of a very different character, being of a mild and 
saccharine nature, and employed as pectoral. It is used in 
the preparation of Jujube Lozenges. — 
Officinal Plant. 
Rhamnus catharticus. 
