OLEACEX. 613 
Distribution and Numbers.—The plants of this order are 
principally natives of temperate and warm regions, but some 
also occur within the'tropics. Illustrative Genera :—Olea, Linn. ; 
Ligustrum, Towrn.; Fraxinus, Towri.; Jasminum, Linn. There 
are about 250 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The barks of many plants of this order 
are tonic .and febrifugal. The mild purgative called Manna is 
obtained from a species of Ash. The )pericarp of the common 
Olive yields the well-known Olive Oil Other species are re- 
markable for the hardness of their wood. The plants of the 
Jasminez have generally fragrant flowers. The volatile oil of 
Jasmine, which is used in perfumery, is chiefly obtained by 
distillation from the flowers of Jasminum officinale and J. grandi- 
florum. The fragrant flowers of J. Sambac are used as votive 
Fie. 1001. 
Fie. 1090. 
Fie. 1002. 
Vp 2 
pus 
\ 
Fig. 1000. Diagram of the flower of the Lilac (Syringa rulgaris).——Fig. 
1001. Flower of the Manna Ash (Fraazinus Ornus), with 4-cleft calyx ; 
corolla with 4 distinct petals; 2 stamens; and 2 carpels.—— Fig. 1002. 
Vertical section of the calyx and pistil of the Privet (Ligustrum vulgare). 
offerings in India; they are also said to have much power in 
arresting the secretion of milk. The leaves and roots of some 
species of Jasminum are reputed bitter, and have been employed 
for various purposes, but generally speaking this tribe contains 
no active medicinal plants. The flowers of Nyctanthes arbor- 
tristis are employed in India for dyeing yellow. 
Fraxinus.—F. excelsior, the common Ash, has a febrifugal bark. The 
leaves are reputed to possess cathartic properties. This plant also yields a small 
quantity of Manna, especially when grown in a warm climate, but no 
commercial Manna is obtained from it. The wood possesses much strength 
and elasticity combined with lightness, hence it is commonly used for 
ladders, poles, and agricultural implements. The sweet concrete exudation 
known as Manna isobtained by making transverse incisions into the stem 
of Frarinus Ornus ; henee, this plant is official in the British Pharmacopeia 
as the source of Manna. It is a native of the South of Europe and Asia 
Minor, but commercially our supplies of Manna are now entirely derived 
from Sicily, where the trees are cultivated for that purpose. Manna is a 
mild agreeable laxative. It owes its properties essentially to mannite, and 
also, probably, to some extent, to a peculiar resin —Fraxinus chinensis is 
