CALYCIFLOR.E igi 



The wood has been used for charcoal for gun- 

 powder. A yellow dye is yielded by the berries and 

 bark, and has been used in Russia. 



Rhamnus catharticus. — In Fig. 36 the character- 

 istic opposite, long-stalked leaves with prominent veins 

 below, and the shining, black berries are illustrated. 



24. The Field Maple Group. 



There are two members of the order Sapindaceae, 

 or Aceraceae, the native Field Maple which is 

 described here, and the Sycamore or Great Maple. 



The order includes over one hundred species and 

 three genera. These plants are natives of the 

 Northern Temperate regions, especially hilly dis- 

 tricts, and the mountains in the Tropics. In the 

 opposite leaves and stamens inserted on, and not 

 within, the disc, the Aceraceas differ from the other 

 members of the Sapindaceae. The order is closely 

 related to the Spindle Wood group. 



The members of the Maple group are mainly trees 

 or shrubs. They have opposite leaves, usually 

 stalked, with palmate veins. They are entire, 

 simple and pinnate, deciduous. There are no sti- 

 pules. 



The inflorescence is a raceme, or a corymb, or is 

 panicled. The flowers are regular, often polygamous, 

 and the plant may have male and complete flowers 

 on the same plant, or on different individuals, or be 

 dioecious. The parts are in fives or fours, with a 



