CLASS V. oRDEa I.] EUONYMUS. 311 



infusion and decoction for the cure of ague and dropsy, it is also used as 

 a gargle in inflammatory affections of the throat. If taken in too large 

 a dose it excites vomiting, purges violently, and causes much griping. 

 It is not now used, except by the country people and herbalists, and 

 requires cautious administration. The berries, so far as their medicinal 

 properties are concerned, are similar to the last, but do not give the 

 same useful colour, and are often mixed with them ; a fraud which 

 may be easily detected, from the difference in their shape and number 

 of cells, this having but two, while the former has four. 



It is remarked by Dr. Murry, of Gottingen, that he has found the 

 chopped leaves of this plant, heated over the fire, the best remedy with 

 which he is acquainted to disperse milk in the breasts ; at all events 

 it is a harmless remedy, how useful it may be we cannot say. 



The berries and bark, both of this and those of R. cathatieus, are 

 esteemed as purgatives in veterinary practice. Half an ounce of the 

 bark boiled in some ale is frequently given to cattle, and acts as a 

 brisk cathartic, or a few seeds answer the same purpose. Both the 

 bark and berries are used by dyers for giving a yellow colour to 

 woollen goods, and by the addition of preparations of iron a black 

 colour is obtained. The wood is esteemed for burning into charcoal, 

 particularly by the manufacturers of gunpowder ; and the flowers, like 

 several other species of this genus, are great favourites with the bees : 

 for Evelyn says that the "honey-breathing blossoms aflford a marvel- 

 lous relief to bees." 



GENUS XXXVI. EUO'NYMUS.— Linn. Spindle tree. 



Nat. Ord. CELASXRi'NEiE. R. Brown. 



Gen. Char. Calyx flat, four or five-cleft, with a peltate disk at the 

 bottom. Petals four or five, inserted into the margin of the disk. 

 Stamens four or five, alternating with the petals, and inserted into 

 the disk. Capsules with three or live angles, and as many cells. 

 Seeds one in each cell, with a coloured fleshy arillus, partly or 

 entirely covering it. — Name from " Euonyme, mother to the 

 Furies, in allusion to the injurious effects produced by the fruit 

 of this plant." 

 E. Europ'ceus, Linn. (Fig. 382.) common Spindle tree or Prick- 

 wood. Flowers mostly four-cleft ; petals acute ; branches smooth ; 

 leaves ovate-lanceolate, smooth, finely serrated ; capsule obtusely 

 angular, smooth. 



English Botany, t. 362. — English Flora, vol. i. p. 330. — Hooker, 

 British Flora, vol, i. p. 119. — Jiindley, Synopsis, p. 74. 



