Smilax. DiOECiA iiexandria. 791 



but in (he low countries, it is only a shrub. It flowers dur- 

 ing- the hot season. 



Trunk irregular. Bark of a dark rust colour. Branches 

 very numerous, and very irregularly disposed. Leaves alter- 

 nate, short-petioled, oval, entire, very smooth, shining, about 

 half or three quarters of an inch long, by half an inch broad. 

 Male. Floicershova the axillsofthe lower leaves, three toge- 

 ther smaller than the femaleones. Filaments six, short, inserted 

 round a semi-globose receptacle. Anthers oblong. Pistil none. 

 Female. Floivers axillary, single, sessile, very small, white. 

 Calyx three-cleft. Corol three-cleft, hairy on the outside. 

 Stamens none. Germ superior, oval, three-celled, with two 

 ovula in each attached to the top of the axis. Style short. 

 Stigma three-toothed. Berry superior, of the size of a large 

 pea, round, smooth, when ripe yellow, from one to three- 

 celled, partitions thin, tough, membranaceous. Seed one; I 

 never found more, in each cell, differing in shape according 

 to the number of fertile cells in the berry. Integument single, 

 rather fleshy. Perisperm conform to the seed, of a soft, hairy, 

 semi-pellucid consistence. Embryo inverse, nearly as long 

 as the perisperm, a little curved. Cotyledons two, cordate, 

 Plumula very minute. Radicle superior, clavate, pointing 

 directly to the umbilicus. 



The berries of this tree are universally eaten when ripe, and 

 are very well tasted. 



The wood is dark coloured, remarkably hard, and durable. 

 It is employed for such uses, when its size will admit, as re- 

 quire the most durable heavy wood. 



SMILAX. Schreh. gen. N. 1528. 

 Male. Calyx six-leaved. Corolnowe. Female. Ca- 

 lyx six-leaved. Corol none. Germ superior, three-celled ; 

 cells one-seeded ; attachment superior. Styles three. Berry 

 from two to three-seeded. Embryo in the base of the peri- 

 sperm. 



