THE BUCKTHORN FAMILY. 207 



HABITATS AND LOCALITFES. 

 1. Purple Ltthrum — [Ltjthrum Salicdria.) 

 Pondsides, stream-sides, and marshy places, abundant everywhere ; 

 sometimes in moist cornfields. Fl. July, August. 



Curtis, i. 173; E. B. xv. 1061 ; Baxter, iii. 220. 

 One of the most shewy of our native plants, the stems generally growing many 

 together; their splendid spikes towering above the rushes and other semi- 

 aquaiics like crimson scepti'es, and at a distance resembling foxgloves. 



2. Hyssop-leaved Lythrum — [Ltjthrum hyssopifdlium.) 



Between Worsley and Boothstown, sparingly. (J. E.) Fl. August. 



Annual. 



E. B. V. 292. 



3. Peplis — [Peplis Portula.) 

 Watery places, especially such as are apt to become dry in summer, 

 not infrequent. Baguley ; Sale ; Lindow Common ; plentiful on Hale 

 Moss; the same in ditches at Godley, and at Eecles (J. S.) ; Mau- 

 solee Common, Tyldesley. (J. E.) Fl. July, August. Annual. 

 Curtis, ii. 244 ; E. B. xvii. 1121 ; Baxter, iii. 220. 

 A few American Cupheas are in cultivation, but no others of this family that I 

 am aware of. 



LVI.— THE BUCKTHORN FAMILY. Rhamndcece. 



Trees and shrubs, the branches often spinous. Leaves simple, un- 

 divided, and usually alternate. Flowers small, numerous, generally 

 green, on very short pedicels, axillary or terminal, sometimes unisexual 

 by defect. Calyx four to five-cleft ; petals four to five, minute, and often 

 convolute or concave, sometimes absent. Stamens of the same number, 

 and opposite the petals ; or if petals be wanting, alternate with the 

 calyx-lobes. 



Rhamnaceaj are found nearly all over the world, excepting in the 

 Arctic regions. Warm countries possess the majority of the two 

 hundred and fifty known species. Two grow wild in England, — the 

 Rhamnus cathnrticus, distinguished by its spines or thorns, and the 

 Rhamnus Frdngula, which is destitute of spines. The latter only is 

 found near Manchester, where it presents itself as an erect and 

 glabrous shrub or small tree, four to eight feet high, with broadly- 



