520 SYSTEMATIC BOTAJfY. 



in the very coldest regions. Examples: — Paliurus, Zizyphus, 

 Hovenia, Ehamnus, Ceanothus, Discaria. There are 42 genera, 

 and 250 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Some of the plants of this order have 

 acrid and purgative properties; others are bitter, febrifugal, and 

 tonic. A few are used in the preparation of dyeing materials, 

 and some few others have edible fruits. Some of the more im- 

 portant plants may be enumerated as follows : — 



Ventilago Maderaspatana.—TapU — The bark of the root is used in India in 

 the production of orange and other dyes. 



Zizyphus. — Many species of this genus have edible fruits. Thus, the 

 Z. vulgaris, Z. Jvjuhii, and others, yield the fruit, known under the name of 

 jujube. Z. Lotus has also an edible fruit, which is esteemed by the Arabs, &c. 

 This is generally supposed to be the Lotus of the ancients, and from which 

 the Lotophagi received their name. By some, however, the Lotus of the 

 ancients is sujiposed to be the Nilraria trideniata. (See Nat. Ord. Malpi- 

 ghiaceffi, p. 490.) The berries, or seeds ol some species of Zizyphus are re- 

 garded as sf dative, while those of Z. Boclei are reputed to be poisonous. 



Sagerelia iheezans, is a native of Chma, where its leaves are used as a sub- 

 stitute for tea by the poorer inhabitants. 



Hovenia dulcis The peduncles of this plant become ultimately enlarged 



and succulent, and are much esteemed in China, where they are eaten as a 

 kind of fruit. 



Rhainnus .—This genus is the most important in the order. Thus, R. 

 catharticus, commonly called Buckthorn, produces a fruit which has been used 

 for ages as a cathartic'; it is. however, but rarely employed at the present day, 

 on account of its violent and unpleasant operation. The bark of li. F)a7igtila, 

 the Black Alder, possesses purgative and alterative properties. It is reputed 

 to be efficacious in various cutaneous aflFectiDus, rheumatism, secondary 

 syphilis, &c.; a greenish or yellowish green dye is made from the leaves. The 

 colour called Sap-green, is prepared by evaporating; to dryness, the juice of the 

 Buckthorn berries previously mixed with lime. The unripe fruits of li. infec- 

 torius, are known in commerce under the name of French Berries (Graines 

 d'Avignon of the French); while those of R. amygdalinus, constitute the 

 berries called yellow berries, or Persian berries. Some authors say, that 

 both the French and Persian bprries are the produce of one species, the ff. 

 infectorius, and that the only difference between them is in size, — those called 

 French or Avignon berries, being smaller, and not of such good quality as 

 the Persian berries, which are obtained from the Levant. These berries 



f)roduce a beautiful yellow colour, which is chiefly used for dyeing morocco 

 eather. R. saxatilis produces a fruit, which may be also employed for dyeing 

 yellow. This plant is said by some authors to be the source of Persian berries. 

 In Abyssinia, the leaves of R. pauciflorus, and the fruit of R. Sladdo, both of 

 ■which possess bitter properties, are employed as a substitute for hops in the 

 preparation of beer. From R. alaternus a blue dye may be prepared. The 

 Chinese green dye [T.o-kao), now much used in Europe, is prepared from R. 

 chlorophorus (globosus) and R. utilis. 



Ceanothus americanus.— The young shoots are employed as an astringent ; 

 and in New Jersey the leaves are dried and used as a substitute for tea ; hence 

 thev are commonly known as New Jersey Tea. 



Discaria Jebrifuga The root of this plant is used in Brazil as a febrifuge 



and tonic. 



Goiiania domingensis is reputed stomachic, and a few other plants of the order 

 are regarded as possessing somewhat analogous properties. 



Natural Order 76. Anacakdiace.e. — The Cashew-Nut or 

 Sumach Order. — Trees or shrubs, with alternate, simple or 

 compound leaves, which are exstipulate, and without dots. 

 Flouers regular, small, and frequently unisexual. Cali/x per- 

 sistent, with usually 5, or sometimes 3, 4, or 7 lobes. Petals 

 equal in number to the divisions of the calyx, pcrigynous, 

 imbricated; sometimes absent. Stamens alternate with the 



