COROLLII'-LOH^. 



601 



alkaloid called Nicotia, which is a most energetic poison ; and to some extent 

 to a volatile oil (nicotian in), and an empyrmmatic oil. Tobacco has been em- 

 ployed in medicine as a local Ptunnlant, and as a sedative, antispasmodic, 

 emetic, laxative, and diuretic. The principal kinds of Tobacco are the 

 American, from N. Tabacum ; the Shiraz or Persian, from N. perxica ; the 

 East Indian, Manilla, Latakia, and Turkish, from N. nistica; Cuba and 

 Havanuah, from iV. repanda ; and Orinoko, from N. latissima. 



Natural Order 156. Oleace.^.— The Olire Order {figs. 981- 

 983). — Character. — Trees or shrubs. Zeaw5 opposite. Floivers 

 usually perfect, or rarely unisexual. Calyx persistent, 4-eleft 

 {fig. 981), sometimes obsolete {fig. 424), inferior {fig. 988). 

 Corolla regular, 4-cleft {fig. 981), or of 4 distinct petals 

 Fig. 981. 



Fig. 982. 



Fig.^%^. 



Fid. 981. Diagram of the flower of Lilac (Syringa imlgaris). Fig. 982. 



Flower of the 'Ma.nnn Ash, Orniiseur/ypcEaorFraxinHsOmus,vrith 4-cleft 



calyx ; corolla with 4 distinct petals ; 2 stamens ; and 2 carpels. Fig. 983. 



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



{fig. 982), or absent {fig. 424); (Bstivation valvate {fig. 981). 

 Stamens usually 2 {figs. 424 and 982), rarely 4. Ovary (figs. 981 

 and 983) 2-celled, •with 2 suspended ovules in each cell. Fruit 

 fleshy or dry, often 1- seeded. Seeds with abundant fleshy albu- 

 men ; embryo straight. 



Distribution , ^-c. — They are principally natives of temperate 

 regions, but a few occur within the tropics. Examples of the 

 Genera : — Olea, Ligustrum, Fraxinus, Syringa. There are about 

 150 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The barks of many plants of this order 

 are tonic and febrifugal. The mild purgative called Manna is 

 obtained from some species. The pericarp of the Common 

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

 remarkable for the hardness of their wood. 



Fraxinvs.—F. 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 gi'own in a warm climate. The wood 

 possesses much strength and elasticity combined with lightness, hence it 

 is commonly used for ladders, poles, and agricultural implements. The 

 sweet concrete exudation kno-mi as manna is obtained by making incisions 

 into the stems of two or more species of Fraxinus. There is some uncer- 



