666 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



inserted on the corolla, and alternate with its lobes. Ovary in- 

 ferior {fig. 944), 1 — 5-celled, usually 3-celled, often with 1 ovule 



Fig. 944. 



Fig. 945. 



Fig. 946. 



Fig. »44. Pistil of the Common Elder (Sambucus nigra), surrounded hy a 



superior 5-lobed calyx. Fig. 945. Entire flower of the Elder. Fig. 



946. Vertical section of the seed of the same. 



in one cell, and several in the others ; style 1, or none {fig. 944) ; 

 stigmas 1 — 3 ( figs. 944 and 945), or 5. Fruit indehiscent, 1 or 

 more celled, dry or succulent, and crowned by the persistent 

 ealycine lobes. Seeds solitary or numerous ; embryo small {fig. 

 946), in fleshy albumen. 



Diagnosis. — Shrubs or herbs, with opposite exstipulate leaves. 

 Caly.v superior, 4 — 5-cleft, persistent. Corolla monopetalous, 

 and bearing commonly as many stamens as it has lobes, to 

 which they are alternate, regular or irregiilar. Ovary inferior, 

 1 — 5-celled. Fruit indehiscent. Seeds with fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, ^x. — Chiefly natives of the northern parts of 

 Europe, Asia, and America. They are rare in the southern 

 hemisphere. Examples of the Genera: — Caprifolium, Viburnum, 

 Sambucus. There are about 230 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order have frequently 

 showy flowers, which ai'e also commonly sweet-scented ; hence 

 many are cultivated in our gardens and shrubberies, as Honey- 

 suckles, which are species of Caprifolium and Lonicera ; Guelder 

 Eoses {Viburnum species), Laurustinus {Viburnum Tinus), 

 Snowberry {Symjphoricarpus raccmosus), &c. Some are emetics 

 and mild purgatives ; others are astringent ; others sudorific and 

 diuretic ; and some are acrid. 



Sambucus nigra, the Common Elder. — Several parts of this plant have 

 been long employed in medicine. Its flowers contain a volatile oil, which 

 renders them mildly stimulant and sudorific. They are chiefly used in the 

 formation of a cooling ointment, and in the preparation of Elder Flower 

 "Water. The inner bark and the leaves have more or less purgative and 

 emetic properties. The fruit is also mildly aperient and diuretic. It is ex- 

 tensively used for the pui-pose of adulterating Poi-t-wine, and in the manu- 

 facture of the kind of wine which is commonly known as Elder Wine. 



