OLACALES. 539 



The fruits of some species of Rhamnus yield yellow or green dyes, 

 which are of considerable importance. 



The wood of R.frangula, of Europe, is used for making the best 

 charcoal for tlie finest gunpowder. 



Species of Zizyphus in Africa and India produce edible fruits, one of 

 which is the Jujube. 



Ehamnus catharticm, the Buckthorn of Europe, is planted in this 

 country for hedges. 



Order Stackhousieee. Small herbs, mostly confined to Australia. 



Order Celastraceee. Small trees and shrubs, often climbing, bear- 

 ing simple, usually alternate leaves; flowers with imbricate calyx 

 lobes. Species about 400, natives of temperate and tropical regions. 



Celastrus scandens, the Climbing Bittersweet of the Eastern United 

 States, is ornamental, and is planted in this country and Europe. 



Euonymus atropurpuretw, the Waahoo, or Burning Bush of the 

 Eastern United States, is also found in <rardens. 



The wood of E. Europceus of Europe is compact and capable of 

 being split into very fine pieces, and is used by watch-makers under 

 the name of Dogwood. It is also used for skewers, shoe-pegs, etc. 



From the leaves of Catha edulis, an East African shrub, a decoction is 

 made which produces an agreeable excitement. The leaves themselves 

 are sometimes chewed. 



597. Cohort XXIX. Olacales. Flowers actinomorphic ; 

 ovary superior, entire, one- to many-celled; seeds with copious 

 endosperm. 



Order Cyrillaceae. Trees and shrubs, numbering eight species, 

 represented in the Southern United States by Cyrilla racemiflora, the 

 Ironwood, and Gliftonia ligustrina, the Buckwheat Tree, the latter a 

 handsome evergreen tree, three to six metres high (10 to 20 feet). 



Order Ilicineae. The Holly Family. Trees and shrubs with mostly 

 evergreen leaves, and three- to many-celled ovary. Species 150, of 

 tropical and temperate climates. 



Ilex Aquifolium, the Holly Tree of Europe, yields a white close- 

 grained wood much esteemed by turners and cabinet-makers. It is 

 sometimes blackened so as to resemble ebony. The tree, being orna- 

 mental, is extensively planted. The bright red berries remain during 

 the winter, and with the evergreen foliage are used for Christmas 

 decorations. 



/. opaca, the American Holly, of the Southern States and the Atlan- 

 tic coast from Massachusetts southward, resembles the preceding and 

 is used for the same purposes. This and other native species are culti- 

 vated in gardens. 



The leaves of /. Parnguayensis, a small South American tree, furnish 



