DIVISION III 

 COROLLA, WITH THE PETALS COHERENT 



Elder Family {CaprifoliacecB). 



Common Elder {Sambtiais nigra). — This is a 

 tree or shrub familiar to all. It has compound 

 pinnate leaves like those of the ash-tree, and flat- 

 topped " corymbs " of numerous yellowish-white 

 flowers. 



A close examination will reveal an inferior ovary, 

 five points on the top of it represent the calyx, 

 the corolla has the petals coherent and the five 

 stamens, as usual with coherent corollas, adherent 

 to it. Three minute stigmas reveal the fact that 

 there are three carpels. The style is swollen into 

 a conical fleshy mass as the organ for secreting 

 honey. 



There are several uses to which the elder is put, 

 but in only one or two particulars can it be re- 

 garded as deleterious. Thus, while Elder flowers, 

 which yield a volatile oil by distillation, are used in 



poultices, etc., and the berries make an excellent 



1 02 



