98 History of Hingham. 



Impatiens, L. 



fulva, Nutt. Touch-me-not. 

 Oxalis, L\ 



corniculata, L., var. stricta, Sav. Wood-Sorrel. 



17. ilicine-E. (Holly Family.) 



Trees and shrubs. Interesting to us as containing the Holly, 

 the Neinopanthes, and the several species of Ilex, all contrib- 

 utors to the beauty of the forests and swamps. It is one 

 of the species of Ilex which displays, late in the autumn and 

 early winter a profusion of bright red berries, that never fail 

 to attract the attention and admiration of beholders. 



There is an astringent property in the bark and leaves of the 

 Holly, and of other species of Ilex. The berries are purgative, 

 and used medicinally. 



Ilex, L. 



opaca, Ait. Holly, 

 verticillata, Gray. Black Alder, 

 laevigata, Gray. Smooth Alder. Rare. 

 glabra, Gray. Inkberry. Not common. 



Nemopanthes, Raf. 



fascicularis, Raf. Mountain Holly. Rare. 



18. CELASTRACE^. (STAFF-TREE FAMILY.) 



Shrubs, rarely trees. One species only known to our flora, — 

 the Celastrus scandens, or Waxwork. 



The fruit of this, with its orange and scarlet hues, is very 

 attractive in autumn, as displayed among the foliage of the 

 shrubs or trees upon which it climbs. 



The plants of this family have generally acrid and bitter prop- 

 erties, sometimes emetic. 



Celastrus, L. 



scandens, L. Waxwork. 



19. RHAMNACE5!. (BUCKTHORN FAMILY.) 



Shrubs and small trees, represented in Hingham by the Rham- 

 nus catharticus, the Buckthorn, and by the Ceanothus Ameri- 

 canus, New-Jersey Tea. 



The berries and bark of the Buckthorn are cathartic, and have 

 been used in medicine. The leaves of the Ceanothus Americanus 

 were much used during the American Revolution, by infusion, as 

 a tea ; hence the common name. 



Rhamnus, Tourn. 



cathartica, L. Buckthorn. Not common. 



Ceanothus, L. 



Americanus, L. New-Jersey Tea. 



