136 RHAMNACE.E. 



1. EUONYMUS (Spindle-tree). Capsule 3 5 angled, 

 with 3 5 cells and valves ; seeds solitary in each cell, 

 coated with a fleshy arillus. (Name from Euonyme, 

 the mother of the Furies, in allusion to the injurious 

 properties of the fruit.) 



1. EUONYMUS (Spindle-tree). 



1. E. Europceus (Common Spindle-Tree). Petals 

 usually 4, oblong, acute ; stamens usually 4 ; branches 

 angular, smooth ; leaves broadly lanceolate, minutely 

 serrated. A hedge and wood shrub, well marked by its 

 clusters of small greenish flowers, glossy leaves, green 

 bark, and, above all, by its deeply lobed seed vessels, 

 which, when ripe, are rose-coloured, and on opening 

 disclose the seeds curiously wrapped in a scarlet arillus. 

 The wood, like that of the wild Cornel and Guelder-rose, 

 is much used for making skewers. (See " Forest Trees 

 of Britain/' vol. ii.) Fl. May. Shrub. 



ORDER XXIV. RHAMNACEJL BUCKTHORN TRIBE. 



Calyx 4 5 cleft, valvate when in bud ; petals 4 5, 

 inserted into the throat of the calyx ; stamens 4 5, 

 opposite the petals ; ovary superior, or half superior, 

 2 4 celled, surrounded by a fleshy disk ; fruit either 

 fleshy and not bursting, or dry, and separating in three 

 divisions ; seeds several.- Trees or shrubs, with simple 

 leaves, minute stipules, and small greenish flowers. 

 Some species of Zizyphus produce the jujube, well 

 known in this country as a sweetmeat. Z. Lotus is 

 famous for being the plant which afforded food to the 

 ancient Lotophagi, or Lotus-eaters. Homer states that it 

 was so delicious, that whatever stranger once tasted it, 

 immediately forgot his friends and native country, and 

 desired only to dwell within reach of it. It is a prickly 

 shrub, and bears an abundance of purplish berries, of 



