602 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



F^g- 979. Fig, 980. 



Fig. 981. 



Fig. 979. Diagram of the flower of Lilac iSyringa vulgaris) Fig. 980. 



Flower of tlie Manna Ash Ornus curopcea or Fraxinus Ornus, with 4-cleft 



calyx; corolla with 4 distinct petals; 2 stamens; and pistil Fig. 981. 



Vertical section of calyx and pistil of the Privet {Liyustrum vulgare). 



are tonic and febrifugal. The mild purgative called Manna is 

 obtained from several species. The pericarp of the Common 

 Olive yields the well-known Olive Oil. Some species are 

 remarkable for the hardness of their wood. 



0/ra europcea, the Olive — The ripe fruit has a very fleshy pericarp 

 which yields by expression a fixed oil, known as Olive Oil, which is largely 

 used for dietetical purposes, in the arts, and in medicine. In medicine it is 

 principally employed externally, either by itself, or in composition with otiier 

 substances. When administered internally, it is nutrient, emollient, dem^ilcent, 

 and laxative. The olives used as a dessert, are prepared by first S( aking the 

 green unripe fruit in water to deprive Ihem of a portion of their bitter flavour, 

 and then preserving them in a solution of salt slightly aromatised. The 

 leaves and bark of the Olive-tree have been highly extolled by some writers 

 for their tonic and febrifugal properties, and they certainly deseive more at- 

 tention as remedial agents than they have hitherto obtained in this country. 

 The substance called olive f^um or olivile is a resinous exudation from the 

 Olive-tree. It was formerly employed in medicine, but at present is not applied 

 to any useful purpose. The wood of the Olive is much employed for cahuiet- 

 work. The flowers of Olen frngrans are used in China to give odour and 

 flavour to a particular kind of tea. 



Fraxinus excelsior, the Common Ash, has a febrifugal bark. The leaves 

 are reputed to possess cathartic properties. It also yields a small quantity of 

 manna, especially when growing in a w.irm climate. The wood possesses 

 much strength and elasticity combined with lightness, hence it is much used 

 for ladders, poles, and for agricultural implements, &c. The sweet concrete 

 exudation known as manna, is obtained by making hicisions into the stems of 

 two or more species of Fraxinns. There is some uncertainty as to the num- 

 ber of species from which onr supplies are derived; but they are chielly from 

 Fraxinus Ornus or Ornus europcea. and F. rotund if olia or Ornus rotunhijolia. 

 These plants are natives of Calabria, Apulia, and Sicily. Manna is a mild 

 agree ble laxative. It owes its properties to mannite, and a peculiar resin. 

 Fraxinns cliimnsis is the tree upon which the insect {Coccus I'e-la) producing 

 the White Wax of China, feeds. 



Syrini-a vnljioris, the Lilac, has a bitter, tonic, and febrifugal bark. 



Natural Order 157. Jas]minack;e. — Tlie Jasmine Order.— 

 Shrnhs, often twining. C(//y.r ])ctsistent, with 5 — 8 divisions. 

 Corolla regular, 5— 8 -partite; astivation imbricated. Stamens 2, 



