CALYCIFLOEJE. • 511 



Distribution, ^c. — Chiefly natives of the warmer parts of Asia, 

 North America, and Europe ; they are also plentiful at the Cape 

 of Good Hope. Generally speaking, the plants of the order are 

 far more abundant out of the tropics than in them. Examples 

 of the Genera : — Euonymus, Catha, Celastrus. There are about 

 280 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Chiefly remarkable for the presence of 

 an acrid principle. The seeds of some contain oil. The more 

 important plants are as follows : — 



Catha edulis. — The young slender shoots, with the leaves attached, of this 

 plant, constitute the Arabian drug called Kat, Khat, or Cafta. 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 also made from it, and 

 used as a beverage like our tea ; its effects are described as being somewhat 

 similar to those produced by strong gi-een tea, but the excitement of a more 

 pleasing and agreeable nature. By some -^\Titers the term Kat is applied to 

 the di-ug in its unprepared state, and Cafta to a preparation made fi-om it. 

 According to some writers, the leaves and young shoots of C. spinosa aie also 

 used in the preparation of Kat. 



Celastrus.—The seeds of C. panicuJatus yield an oil of a powerfully stimu- 

 lating nature, which is sometimes used as a medicine in India under the 

 name of " Oleum nigrum." G. scandens and C. senegalensis have purgative 

 and emetic barks. 



ElcBodendron Kubu. — The dnipaceous fruits of this species are eaten at the 

 Cape of Good Hope. 



Euonymus. — E. europoeus is the common Spindle-tree of our hedges. The 

 wood is used to make skewers, spindles, &,c. In France, charcoal is said to 

 be prepared from the wood, and used in the manufactiu*e of gunpowder ; 

 while the young shoots, in a chaiTed 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 pro- 

 perties. The bark of E. tingens has a beautiful yellow colour on its inside, 

 which may be used as a dye. 



Natural Order 72. — Stackhottsiace^. — The Stackhousia 

 Order. — Character. — Herbs, or rarely shrubs, wath simple, 

 entire, alternate, minutely stipulate leaves. Calyx o-cleft, with 

 its tube inflated. Petals 5, united below into a tube, arising 

 from the top of the tube of the cal}^, and having a narrow- 

 stellate limb. Stamens 5, distinct, of unequal length, perigynous. 

 Ovary superior, 3 or S-eelled, each cell containing one erect 

 oviile ; styles 3 or o, distinct or combined at the base. Frtiit 

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

 central persistent column. Seeds with fleshy albiimen ; embryo 

 erect ; radicle inferior. 



Bistribution, cfr. — Natives of New Holland. Examples of the 

 Genera: — Stackhousia, Tripterococcus. There are about 20 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unknown. 



Natural Order 73. Staph yleace.is. — The Bladder-Nut Order. 

 — Character. Shrubs, wdth opposite, or rarel}' alternate, pin- 

 nate leaves, which are furnished with deciduous stipules and 

 stipels. Calyx 5-parted {Jig. 769), coloured, imbricated. Petals 5 

 (Jig. 769), alternate with the divisions of the calyx, imbricated. 

 Sta/nens 5 {Jig. 769), alternate with the petals, and inserted 



