146 COLONSAY 



now it is the wood used for the lance-shafts of the British 

 -cavalry. The wood of the American Ash (F. americana, L.), 

 though largely imported into this country for agricultural 

 implements, tool-handles, etc., is inferior to the British Ash. 

 The leaves act like Senna. 



ApocYNACEjE (the Periwinkle family) 



A large tropical order ; some species yielding milky, elastic, 

 and sometimes very poisonous juices, while others furnish 

 edible fruits, oil, medicine, etc. The Silk Eubber Tree of 

 Lagos is one of the most important sources of West African 

 rubber. The order furnishes some beautiful stove plants 

 Allamandas, Dipladenias, etc. The South European Oleander 

 is an old greenhouse favourite. 



VincM, L. 



V. minor, L. Lesser Periwinkle. Gille-Fionndruinn. 

 Introduced. May. Badge of the M'Lachlans. 



GENTIANACEJE (the Gentian family) 



Herbs, occurring principally in temperate and mountainous 

 regions, where some species mark the highest limits of 

 vegetation. They are characterised by powerfully bitter 

 properties, and are universally used as febrifugal and 

 stomachic medicines. Some species (Gentians) are among 

 the prettiest of alpine plants. 



Centaurium, Hill 



C. umbellatum, Gilib. Centaury. Deagha Dearg, I. 

 Sandy uncultivated hillocks, Druim-buidhe. Bi., July. 



C. umbellatum, b capitatum. Close to the shore, Port- 

 &- Bhuailtein. September. 



