COEOIXIFLOBJE. 585 



celled, each cell -with 1 or 2 oviiles suspended from the apex ; 

 style usually having as many divisions as there are cells to the 

 ovary. Fruit fleshy. Seeds large, albuminous. 



Distrihi'.tion, cf-c. — They are mostly natives of tropical India, 

 but a few occur in colder regions. Examples of the Genera : 

 Royena, Diospyros. There are about 180 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Many of the trees of this order are re- 

 markable for the hardness of their wood, which is known under 

 the names of Ebony and Iron wood. Many species have edible 

 fruits, and some have astringent barks. 



Diospyros.— "M-anj species of this genus have hard anddark coloured heart- 

 woods, which form the'different kinds of Ebony ; thus, from Z>. reticulata 

 is obtainpd Mauritius Ebony, the best kind ; from D. Melanoxylon, a native 

 of the Coromandel Coast, what is commonly known as Black Ebony ; from 

 D. Ebenaster, the Bastard Ebony of Ceylon ; and from D. Ebe'nus, the 

 best Ceylon Ebony. Coromandel or Calamander Wood, a beautifully 

 variegated furniture wood, is also procured from Ceylon, and is obtained 

 from D. qi/cesifa. Other sj^ecies also yield valuable timber. The fruit of D. 

 Kaki is eaten in China and Japan. It is known in Japan under the name of 

 the Keg-fig. The fruit of D. virginiana, the Persimmon or Date Plimi, is 

 sweet and edible when ripe, especially after a frost ; but it is very austere 

 in an vmripe state, hence it is frequently employed in that condition in the 

 United States, where it is indigenous, as an astringent. The bark has been 

 also used as a febrifuge and astringent. D, Lotos, a native of Europe, has 

 also an edible fruit. The bark of D. j}fe'anoT!/Ion possesses tonic and astrin- 

 gent properties. The fruit of D. Embryopieris is powerfully astringent, and 

 is oflBcinal on that account in the Indian Pharmacopoeia, 



Natural Order 141. AQriroLiACE^. — The Holly Order. — 

 Character. — Evergreen trees or shrubs. Leaves {fig. 297) 

 coriaceous, simple, exstipulate. Flowers small, axillary, some- 

 times unisexual. Sepals distinct, 4 — 6. Corolla 4— 6-parted, 

 imbricated. Stamens equal in number to the divisions of the 

 corolla, and alternate with its segments ; anthers 2-celled, adnate, 

 opening longitudinally. Ovary 2 — 6, or more celled, with one 

 pendulous ovule in each cell ; placentas axile. Fruit fleshy, in- 

 dehiscent. Seeds suspended; embryo small, at the base of a 

 large quantity of fleshy albumen. 



Jbistrihidion, ^-c. — They are widely although sparingly scat- 

 tered over the globe. Only one species, the Common Holly, is 

 found in Europe. Examples of the Genera : — Ilex, Prinos. There 

 are about 110 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Bitter, tonic, and astringent properties 

 are those chiefly found in the plants of this order. Some are 

 emetic and purgative, while others are largely used as substitutes 

 for China Tea. 



IJex. — The leaves and bark of /. Aguifolium, the Common Holly, have been 

 employed in intermittent fevei-s. The ben-ies are purgative and emetic. 

 Bird-lime is prepared from the bark, and its white wood is used by cabinet 

 makers for inlaying. A decoction of the leaves of /. vomitoria constitutes 

 the Black drink of the Creek Indians. The leaves and young twigs of /. 

 paraguayensis, the Brazilian or Paraguay HoUy, are extensively employed in 

 South America as Tea, under the name of Mate or Paraguay Tea. It is 



