612 OLEACEZ. 
Styrax.—The species of this genus frequently yield stimulant balsamic 
resins.—S. Benzoin, the Benjamin tree, is the principal, but probably not 
the only source of the concrete balsamic resin whith is official in the British 
Pharmacopeeia under the name of Benzoin. It iscommonly, but improperly, 
called Gum Benjamin. This is usually obtained after making incisions in 
the bark. Two kinds are distinguished in commerce under the respective 
names ,of Siam and Sumatra Benzoin. The former is most esteemed in 
England. Benzoin is used in medicine as a stimulant expectorant. It 
is, however, chiefly employed in the preparation of the official benzoie 
acid ; and on account of its agreeable odour when heated it is a common 
ingredient in the incense so largely used in Catholic churches. It is also a 
constituent in aromatic or fumigating pastilles, and in court or black stick- 
ing plaster. In Brazil and elsewhere, other species of Styrar yield similar 
balsamic resins.—S. officinale, native of Greece, the Levant, and Asia Minor, 
was long supposed by many to be the source of Liquid Storax; but Hanbury 
proved that while it was the source of the original and classical Storax, 
this had in modern times wholly disappeared from commerce, and that our 
Liquid Storax is the produce of Liquidambar orientalis of Miller. (See 
Liquidambar.) Storax has similar medicinal properties to Benzoin. 
Symplocos.—The leaves of S. Alstonia are slightly astringent. They 
have been employed as a tea in New Granada; under the name of Santa. Fé 
Tea. The leaves of S. tinctoria (Sweet-leaf or Horse-sugar), a native of 
North America, have a sweet taste, and are eaten by cattle. They are also 
used in dyeing yellow. This plant has a bitter and aromatic root. The 
leaves of other species are also emploved in Nepaul for dyeing yellow. The 
bark of S. racemosa is likewise used in India as a dyeing material and asa 
mordant. It is known under the name of Lotur bark. 
Series 3. Dicarpize or Bicarpellate. 
Cohort 1. Gentianales.—Corolla regular. Stamens generally 
epipetalous, and equal in number to, and alternate with, 
the lobes of the corolla, or rarely fewer. Leaves usually 
opposite and entire ; or rarely compound, and very rarely 
alternate. . 
Order 1. OLEACEs, the Olive Order.—Character.—Tvrees 
or shrubs. Leaves opposite, simple or pinnate, exstipulate (fi. 
438). Flowers usually perfect, or rarely unisexual. Calyx per- 
sistent, 4—8-cleft (fig. 1000), sometimes obsolete (jig. 30), 
inferior (fig. 1002). Corolla regular, 4—8-cleft (fig. 1000), or 
of 4 distinct petals (fig. 1001), or absent (fig. 30); xstivation 
valvate (fig. 1000) or imbricate. Stamens usually 2 (figs. 30 and 
1001), rarely 4. Ovary superior (fig. 1002), 2-celled (jig. 1000), 
with 1—4 erect, or 2 suspended ovules in each cell (fig. 1002). 
Fruit dehiscent or indehiscent, often 1l-seeded. Seeds with 
abundant fleshy albumen, or the albumen. is small in quantity ; 
embryo straight. ie . 
The order Jasminaceex of many botan idle is here included in the 
Oleacex. The tribe or sub-order Jasminex ts more especially dis- 
tinguished from other Oleacex by the imbricate exstivation of the 
corolla, erect ovules, and the small quantity of albumen in the 
seed, 
