406 EXOGENOUS OR DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. 



hiscent, with one to three very large seeds, resembling chestnuts. 

 Embryo very large and fleshy, showing a two-leaved plumule : 

 the cotyledons united. Ex. ^Esculus, the Horsechestnut, and 

 Buckeye : fine ornamental trees. The large, starchy seeds are 

 nutritious, but they contain a bitter principle which is more or less 

 noxious. Those of ^E. Pavia are used to stupefy fish. The root 

 of the same species, according to Elliott, is employed as a substi- 

 tute for soap. 



762. Ord, Cdastracerc (the Spindle-tree Family). Shrubs or trees, 

 with alternate or opposite simple leaves. Calyx of four or five 

 sepals, imbricated in aestivation. Petals as many as the sepals, 

 inserted under the flat expanded disk which closely surrounds the 

 ovary, imbricated in aestivation. Stamens as many as the petals, 

 and alternate with them, inserted on the margin or upper surface 

 of the disk. Ovary free from the calyx. Fruit a capsule or berry, 

 with one or few seeds in each cell. Seeds usually arilled, albu- 

 minous, with a large and straight embryo. Ex. Celastrus (False 

 Bittersweet), Euonymus (Burning Bush, Spindle-tree) : they are 

 all somewhat bitter and acrid ; but of little economical importance. 

 The crimson capsules and bright scarlet arils of Euonymus atro- 

 purpureus and E. Americanus (sometimes called Strawberry-tree), 

 present a striking appearance when the fruit is ripe. 



763. Ord, RhamnaceaB (the Buckthorn Family). Shrubs or trees, 

 often with spinose branches ; the leaves mostly alternate, simple. 

 Flowers small. Calyx of four or five sepals, united at the base, 

 valvate in aestivation. Petals four or five, cucullate or convolute, 

 inserted on the throat of the calyx, sometimes wanting. Stamens 

 as many as the petals, inserted with and opposite them ! Ovary 

 sometimes coherent with the tube of the calyx, and more or less 

 immersed in a fleshy disk, with a single erect ovule in each cell. 

 Fruit a capsule, berry, or drupe. Seeds not arilled. Embryo 

 straight, large, in sparing albumen. Ex. Rhamnus (Buckthorn) 

 is the type of the order. Ceanothus is peculiar to North America ; 

 just as some genera are to the Cape, and others to New Holland. 

 The berries of most species of Rhamnus are somewhat nauseous ; 

 but those of Zizyphus are edible. The genuine Jujube paste is 

 prepared from those of Z. Jujuba and Z. vulgaris of Asia. Syrup 

 of Buckthorn and the pigment called Sap-green are prepared from 

 the fruit of Rhamnus catharticus. The herbage and bark in this 

 order are more or less astringent and bitter. An infusion of the 



