Rhamnales.] 



CELASTRACE^. 



587 



trace ; for the former arc constantly diclinous, and the latter monopetalous ; besides 

 which, the radicle of Spindle-trees is inferior, that of Spui'geworts superior ; and the 

 albumen of Hollyworts is exti'cmely copious, while that of Spuulle-trces is comparatively 

 inconsiderable in quantity. The drupaceous genera, fonnuag the Elroodendrous Sub- 

 order, establish an affinity with Sapotads, which have, however, a monopetalous 

 corolla and milky juice, and their stamens, when those which are fertile equal in 

 nmnber the segments of the corolla, are opposite to the latter. Endlicher finds a 

 resemblance with Pittosporads, and justly adds that all the drupaceous genei'a are 

 greatly in need of more careful examination. 



According to M. Planchon, the arillus of Euonymus is a peculiar expansion of the 

 exostome, and is not derived from the placenta. 



The species are natives of the warmer parts of Europe, North America, and Asia, 

 but far more abundant beyond the tropics than within them ; a great number of species 

 inhabit the Cape of Good Hope. Some are fomid in Cliile and Peru, and a few in New 

 Holland. 



Royle mentions an acrid prmciple having been detected among the species, which 

 acts with more or less activity ; and that the ■, 



seeds of several yield an oil which is useful for 

 burning. That of Celastrus nutans or panicu- 

 latus is said in India to be of a stimulant nature, 

 and to be used in medicine in the disease called 

 Berriberri. The bark of Euonymus tingens is 

 in the inside of a beautiful light-yellow colour, 

 similar to that of some species of Rhamnus; 

 it is used to mark the tika on the forehead of 

 Hindoos, and might be employed as a dye. It is 

 also considered useful in diseases of the eye. 

 The leaves of Catha edulis, Kat or Khat of 

 the Arabs, would appear to be of a stimulating 

 nature. According to Forskahl, the Arabs eat the 

 green leaves with greediness, believing them to 

 have the power of causing extreme watchfulness, 

 so that a man may stand sentry all night long 

 without drowsiness. They also regard it as an 

 antidote to the plague, and assert that a person 

 wearing a twig of it in his bosom, may go among the infected with impunity ; they 

 even beheve tliat the plague cannot appear in places where the tree is cultivated. 

 Nevertheless, says Forskahl, 

 "the taste of the leaves does 

 not seem to indicate such vir- 

 tues." Botta also says that, 

 when fresh, the Khat leaves are 

 very mtoxicating. The fresh 

 bark of the root of Elseoden- 

 dron Roxburghii, rubbed with 

 plain water, is by the natives of 

 India applied externally to al- 

 most every soii; of swelling. It 

 is a very strong astrmgent, pos- 

 sessing scarcely any other sen- 

 sible quality. — Roxb. Similar 

 qualities are attributed to May- 

 tcnus chilensis. The seeds of 

 the Em'opean species of Evony- 

 mus are nauseous, and said to 



be purgative and emetic ; sheep are said to be poisoned by 

 them ; an ointment was foi-merly prepared from them 

 for the destruction of pedicuU in the head. Similar quaU- 



ties have been foimd in the bark of Celastrus scandens 2 "iiilniL'WilliP^flf XK^ 3 

 and senegalensis ; while the spines of Celastinis veuena- p. cccXCIX. 



tus are reported to inflict most painful wounds. '"^ " 



i-^i^. 



Fig. CCCXCVIII. 



The 



drupes of Elseodeudron Kubu are eaten by the colonists of the Cape of Good Hope. 



Fig. CCCXCVIII.- Celastrus paniculatus.-Tr?/7/i<. !■ a flower ; 2. a perpendicular section of the 

 ovary; 3. a cross section of the ovary ; 4. a vertical section of a seed ; 5. a cross section of it. ^ ., „ ^ 



Fig. CCCXCIX.— Euonymus eiu:opjcus. 1. a section of a fruit ; 2. a seed enveloped m its ani; ^. a 

 perpendicular section of a seed. 



