550 



are either purgative, or altogether poisonous, as Sideroxy- 

 lum is known to be at the Cape. Nor are the species of 

 Sambucus clear of this charge, for their qualities are either 

 nauseous or foetid, and therefore sudorific, especially the 

 berries and flowers. The bark, taken internally, is either 

 emetic, or powerfully purgative, as its vinous infusion 

 proves in the dropsy ; externally it is a powerful repellent." 



" Rhus is the most venomous of trees, particularly its 

 American three-leaved species, called Toxicodendra, or 

 Poison-trees. Their fumes in burning are said to have 

 proved mortal, and their effluvia to have blinded an artist 

 who was at work upon some of the wood. Those who, 

 being in a perspiration, hold a branch of one of these 

 shrubs in the hand, are seized with an eruption over the 

 whole body." 



"The bark of Rkamnus Frangula is our best indigenous 

 purge, and a syrup of Rhamnus catharticus is safely used 

 for children." 



" In this tribe, therefore, some have opposite, others 

 alternate, leaves, nor is any general character to be de- 

 rived from the parts of fructification. The corolla affords 

 none, being either of one or five petals, or altogether ab- 

 sent, as appears from a contemplation of the characters of 

 the different genera. No mark is to be obtained from 

 the nature of the fruit, that being either a berry, drupa, 

 or capsule. The seeds in some instances are solitary, in 

 others numerous, though never more than one in each 

 cell ; and it is well worthy of observation that they are 

 attached, as in the Gymnotetrasperma, by their base. 

 These plants betray some affinity to the Tricocca, but can 

 never be referred to the same order." 



In the Linnsean manuscript before us, Diosma and Har- 

 togia are introduced between Callicarpa and Euonymus ; 

 — see our remark on the 26th order. Staphylea is also 

 subjoined, near Celastrus, but with two marks of doubt, 

 and a note of its having a nectary, as well as opposite 

 leaves. 



