516 VITACEA. 
Z. vulguris, Z. Jujuba, and others, vield the fruits known under the name of 
Jujubes. Jujube is a favourite dessert fruit in Japan ; aud another Japanese 
species, Z. sinensis, yields the fruits known as Japonicas, which are occa- 
sionally to be met with in Covent Garden Market.—Z. Lotus has also an 
edible fruit, which is esteemed by the Arabs, &c. This is generally believed 
to be the Lotus of the ancients, and from which the Lotophagi received 
their name. By some, however, the Lotus of the ancients is supposed to be 
the Nitraria tridentata. (See Nitraria.) The berries or seeds of some 
species of Zizyphus are regarded as sedative, while those of Z. Boclei are 
reputed to be poisonous. Some believe that the crown of thorns which was 
placed on our Saviour’s head was made from Z, Spina- Christi. 
Order 5. Vitack#, the Vine Order.—Character.—Usually 
shrubs climbing by tendrils (fig. 214), with a watery juice, 
the joints swollen and separable from each other. Leaves sim- 
ple (fig. 214) or compound, opposite below, alternate above, 
stipulate or exstipulate. Flowers regular, small, green, 
stalked (fig. 426); peduncles sometimes cirrhose. Calyx minute, 
with the limb generally obsolete. Petals 4 or 5, sometimes 
united at the base; estivation induplicate ; inserted on a disk 
which surrounds the ovary, caducous. Stamens corresponding 
in number to the petals and opposite to them, also inserted on 
the disk (fig. 518) ; filaments distinct or somewhat united at 
the base ; anthers versatile, bursting longitudinally (fig. 518). 
Ovary superior, surrounded by a disk, 2—6-celled, usually 2 ; 
style very short, simple ; stigma simple (fig. 518). Fruit succu- 
lent ( fig. 720), sometimes termed a nuculanium, usually 2-celled. 
Seeds erect, few, usually 2 in each cell; testa bony; albwmen 
hard ; embryo erect, with an inferior radicle. 
Diagnosis.—Shrubby plants, climbing by tendrils, with sim- 
ple or compound leaves, which are opposite below and alternate 
above. Flowers small, green, regular. Petals and stamens 
corresponding in number, 4 or 5, the latter opposite to the 
petals, both inserted on an hypogynous disk; estivation of 
petals induplicate ; anthers versatile, opening longitudinally. 
Ovary superior, surrounded by a disk, with a very short simple 
style and stigma. Fruit a nuculanium. Seeds few; testa bony ; 
embryo erect in horny albumen ; radicle inferior. 
Distribution and Numbers.—The plants of this order are 
found-in warm and tropical regions of the globe. None are 
natives of Europe. The common Grape Vine, which is now 
completely naturalised in the South of Europe, and is cultivated 
nearly all over the globe where the temperature does not rise 
too high or fall too low, is supposed to he a native of the shores 
of the Caspian. Illustrative Genera:—Vitis, Linn. ; Ampelopsis, 
L. C. Rich. There are about 260 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The leaves, stems, and unripe fruits, 
especially the latter, of the plants of this order, abound more or 
less in an acid juice, the acidity being chiefly due to the presence 
of tartaric and malic acids, and acid tartrate of potash. As the 
fruit ripens, it generally loses its acidity, and becomes sweet, 
owing to the formation of Glucose or Grape Sugar, 
