544 THYMELACE^E. 



a remedy for malignant fevers. The only British, 

 species is the Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides). 

 1. HIPPOPHAE (Sea Buckthorn). ^Stamens and pistils 

 on separate plants ; barren flowers in small catkins ; 

 perianth of 2 valves ; stamens 4, with very short fila- 

 ments ; fertile flowers solitary ; perianth tubular, cloven 

 at the summit ; style short ; stigma awl-shaped ; fruit 

 a 1 -seeded nut, enclosed in the fleshy perianth. (Name 

 of doubtful etymology.) 



1. HIPPOPHAE (Sea Buckthorn). 



1. H. Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn, Sallow-Thorn). 

 The only species. Sand-hills and cliffs on the eastern 

 coast of England. A thorny shrub 4 5 feet high, with 

 very narrow, silvery leaves, small greenish flowers, which 

 appear with the leaves in May, and numerous orange- 

 coloured berries, which are of an acid flavour, and very 

 juicy. The stems, roots, and foliage are said to impart 

 a yellow dye. Fl. May. Shrub. (See Miss Pratt' s 

 " Common Things of the Sea-side.") 



ORD. LXXIL THYMELACE^E. DAPHNE TRIBE. 



Calyx tubular, coloured, 4- rarely 5-cleft, occasionally 

 having scales in its mouth ; stamens 8, 4, or 2, inserted 

 in the tube of the perianth ; ovary 1 -celled ; style 1 ; 

 stigma undivided ; fruit a 1 -seeded nut or drupe. 

 Shrubs with undivided laurel-like leaves, remarkable 

 for their tough bark, which is of a highly acrid nature, 

 causing excessive pain if chewed, and raising a blister 

 if applied to the skin. Both the bark and root of 

 Mezereon (Daphne Mezereori) are used in medicine ; they 

 are of very violent effect, whether taken inwardly or 

 applied externally. The berries of Spurge-Laurel are- 

 poisonous to all animals except birds. In the East the 

 bark of several species is manufactured into ropes and 

 paper. The inner bark of Lage.tta lintearia, when 



