518 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Euonymus eurojiceus, is the common Spindle-tree of our hedp^es. In 

 France, the charcoal which is prepared from the wood, is used in the manu- 

 facture of gunpowder ; while the young shoots, in a charred condition, form 

 a kind of drawing-pencil. The seeds are reputed to be purgative and emetic, 

 and are also said to be poisonous to sheep. The seeds of some other species have 

 similar properties. The bark of E. tingens has a beautiful yellow colour on 

 its inside, which may be used as a dye. 



Catha ednlis and spinosa. — 'Vhe young slender shoots with the leaves at- 

 tached, of these plants, constitute the Arabian drug called Kat, Khat, or 

 Cafca. This is largely chewed by the Arabs, and is said to produce great 

 hilarity of spirits, and an agreeable state of wakefulness. A decoction is al.«o 

 made from it, and used as a beverage like our tea ; its effects are described as 

 being somewhat similar to those produced by strong green tea, but the excite- 

 ment of a more pleasing and agreeable nature. By some writers the term Kat 

 is applied to the drug in its unprepared state, and Cafta to a preparation 

 made from it. 



Celnstrus pan'culatus or nutans.— The seeds of this plant yield an oil of a 

 stimulaUng nature, which is sometimes used as a medicine in India. C. scan- 

 dens and senag-'lensis, have purgative and emetic barks. 



Elceodendron Kubu.— The drupaceous fruits of this species are eaten at the 

 Cape of Good Hope. 



Natural Order 72. Stackhousiace^. — The Stackhousia 

 Order. — Herbs or rarely shrubs, with simple, entire, alternate 

 minutely stipulate leaves. Calyx 5-cleft, with itstube in- 

 flated. Petals 5, united below into a tube, arising from the 

 top of the tube of the calvx, and having a narrow stellate 

 limb. Stamens 5, distinct, of unequal length, perigyuous. 

 Ovary superior, 3 or 5- celled, each cell containing one erect 

 ovule ; styles 3 or 5, distinct, or combined at the base. Fruit 

 consisting of from 3—5 indehiscent carpels, attached to a 

 central persistent column. Seeds with fleshy albumen; embryo 

 erect; radicle inferior. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Natives of New Holland. Examples : — 

 Stackhousia, Tripterococcus. There are but 2 genera, and 10 

 gpecies. 



Properties and Uses. — Unknown. 



Natural Order 73. Staphyleace^. — The Bladder-Nut Order. 

 — Shrubs, with opposite or rarely alternate, pinnate leaves 

 which are furnisl\ed with deciduous stipules and stipels. 

 Calyx 5- parted (fig. 766), coloured, imbricated. Petals 5 (Jig. 

 766), alternate with the divisions of the calyx, imbricated. 

 Stameris 5 (Jig. 766), alternate with the petals, and inserted 

 with them on a large disk. Ovary superior, composed of 2 (fig. 

 766), or 3 carpels, which are more or less distinct; ovules nume- 

 rous; styles 2 or 3, coherent at the base. Frtiit fleshy or 

 membranous. Seeds ascending, with a bony testa ; albumen 

 little or none. 



Distribution, ^r.— They are scattered irregularly over the 

 globe. Examples : — Turpinia, Euscaphis, Staphylea. There are 

 but 3 genera, and 14 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The bark of some species is bitter and 

 astringent, as that of Euscaphis staphyleoides. Others havo 

 oily and somewhat purgative seeds, as Staphylea pinnata, Sfc. 



