Rhamnus.] XXV. RHAMNE^E. 93 



at the base of branchlets. Flower-buds ovate-lanceolate ; calyx-tube cam- 

 panulate or turbinate ; petals minute linear or spathulate ; style filiform, 

 2-4-cleft, the branches recurved. Drupes 2-3-celled ; seeds grooved, groove 

 narrow, nearly closed. 



Trans-Indus territory, chiefly on and near the base of the hills. Himalaya, 

 from 2400-7000, at times to 9500 ft., from the Indus to Bhutan, Nilgiris, and 

 other hills near the "Western Ghats, also in China. The leaves fall early, the 

 fresh foliage appearing in May and June, often after the flowers. Fl. more 

 or less at all seasons, but usually April-June, the fruit ripening from October 

 during the cold season. 



A large shrub, or a small tree, 15-20 ft. high, with much-ramified branches, 

 long and straight branchlets, forming a dense rounded crown. Bark finely 

 variegated, smooth with slight longitudinal wrinkles, the shining epidermis often 

 peeling off. Heartwood distinct, of a bright red-brown or chocolate colour, 

 strong, hard, and heavy. The fruit is bitter, emetic and purgative, given (trans- 

 Indus) in affections of the spleen. 



This species is closely allied to R. cathartims, L., the common Buckthorn of 

 England, which is found nearly all over Europe, and occurs in North Africa and 

 Siberia. The only points of difference seem to be that the leaves of R. cathar- 

 ticus frequently have a cordate base, and that the drupe is frequently 4-seeded. 



4. R. persicus, Boissier Fl. Orient, ii. 17. Vern. Sherawane, wurak, 

 Afg. ; Kukei, nar, nikki kander (small thorn), jalidar, kuchni, Pb. 



Spinescent or unarmed ; leaves and branches alternate. Leaves coria- 

 ceous, ovate obovate or oblong, short-petiolate, entire or serrate, pubes- 

 cent or short-tomentose, lateral nerves 2-5, not prominent. Flowers 

 axillary, tetramerous, dioecious, on short pedicels ; petals small, linear ; 

 style 2-4-cleft at the top. Drupe supported by the flat circular base of 

 calyx ; seeds with a shining testa, grooved on the back with a wide open 

 groove, the edges of it thickened and bent inward at the top. 



Persia. Beluchistan. Eastern flank of the Suliman range, the Salt range, and 

 outer Himalaya, from the Indus to the Chenab, at an elevation from 2000-5000 

 ft. (A variety or distinct species is a small depressed spinescent shrub, in the 

 arid Tibetan tract of the Himalaya between 9000 and 14,000 ft. Nubra, Ladak, 

 Upper Chenab and Sutlej basin, and Upper Kamaon.) Nearly leafless for some 

 months ; the fresh foliage issues about April and May. Flowers at all seasons, 

 frequently before the leaves come out. The fruit ripens about November, is 

 sweet and edible, but emetic. Trans-Indus it is boiled for two days, and 

 administered in affections of the, spleen. 



In the plains and lower hills, in arid rocky places, grows to a small tree 20 ft. 

 high, with a short, erect trunk, and a rounded crown of stiff divergent branches. 

 Bark yellowish or dark cinereous, smooth, at times with a whitish, shining, thin, 

 exfoliating epidermis. 



This species is closely allied to R. oleoides, L., a small spinescent shrub com- 

 mon in South Europe and North Africa. The main difference is that oleoides is 

 always glabrous, and that the leaves are 1 -nerved, with reticulate veins. There 

 is also some affinity to R. spathulcefolius, Fisch. et Mey., from the Caucasian 

 provinces. 



Another species, R. 2^>rocicmbens, Edgew. Trans. Linn. Soc. xx. 43, a small 

 prostrate shrub, with coriaceous elliptic- lanceolate, sharp-serrate leaves, and 



