Genus CHIONANTHUS, Lrnn. 
Oleaceae. Diandria Monogynia. 
Syst. Nat. Syst. Lin. 
Derivation. From the Greek chion, snow, and anthos, a flower, m reference to the snow-white flowers of the species. 
Generic Characters. Calyx small, 4-parted, or 4-toothed. Corolla with a short tube and a 4-parted limb ; 
segments of the limb long and linear. Style hardly any. Stigma 2-lobed. Anthers almost sessile 
Drupe baccate, containing a striated nut. Seeds albuminous. Don, Miller's Diet. 
,HE order to which this genus belongs embraces trees and shrubs, 
natives of both hemispheres, and for the most part are deciduous. 
Some of them are timber-trees ; others medicinal, which, in gene- 
ral, are bitter. One genus, (Olea,) produces a valuable oil ; and 
from others, (Ornus and Fraxinus,) is obtained the sweet purgative 
manna. The Syringa supplies some of the most beautiful decid- 
uous shrubs, and the Ligustrum and Phillyrea some useful evergreens. As most 
of the species of this order may be grafted on one another, it is probable that their 
flowers might be reciprocally fecundated ; in which case, some curious hybrids 
might be produced between the privet and the lilac, the privet and the olive, the 
lilac and the ash, &c. 
