582 



RHAMNACE^E. 



[Perigynous Exogens. 



have abundant albumen, and connect this Order of Rhamnads with Ebenads in the 

 Gentianal Alliance. 



It appears from the observations of Mr. Bennett (PL Jav. rar. 131), that in several 

 genera the raphe of the anatropal seeds is thrown out of its original position next the 

 placenta, by a twist in the cord by which it is attached to the placenta. 



Found over nearly all the world, except in the arctic zone. The maximum of 

 species is said to be dispersed through the hottest parts of the United States, the 

 south of Europe, the north of Africa, Persia, and India in the northern hemisphere, 

 and the Cape of Good Hope and New Holland in the southern. Some of the genera 

 appear to be confined to particular countries, as all the true Ceanothuses to North 

 America, Phylicas to the Cape, Cryptandra and Pomaderris to New Holland. 



The berries of various species of Rhamnus are violent purgatives, and have 

 been highly spoken of in dropsy. They also yield a dye, varying in tint from 

 yellow to green ; the ripe berries of R. catharticus, mixed with gum-arabic and lime- 

 water, form the green colour known under the name of Bladder-green. The French 

 Berries of the shops (Graines d' Avignon, Fr.) are the fruit of R. infectorius, saxatilis, 

 and amygdalinus. Those of R. infectorius, when unripe, are used by the modem 

 Greeks to dye morocco leather yellow. The fruit of Zizyphus is destitute of these 

 purgative qualities, and on the contrary, is often wholesome and pleasant to eat, as in 

 the case of the Jujube, Zizyphus vulgaris and Jujuba, the Zizyphus GCnoplia and Z. 

 Joazeiro, whose drupes are used in Brazil as Jujubes. The Lote-bush, which gave its 

 name to the Ancient Lotophagi, is to this day collected for food by the Arabs of 

 Barbary, who call it Sadr, and its berries Nabk ; it is the Zizyphus Lotus' of Botanists. 

 Many other species are also fit for food, among which, in Afghanistan, the Maimunna 

 must be named. This is in some repute for its fruit, which is a sweetish black berry 

 the size of a currant. Its genus has not been ascertained. — Griffith. The peduncles of 

 Hovenia dulcis become extremely enlarged and succulent, and are in China a fruit in 

 much esteem, resembling in flavour, as it is said, a ripe Pear. Some species are 

 astringent. Sageretia theezans is used for tea by the poorer classes in China; an infusion 

 of the twigs of Ceanothus americanus has been named as useful, on account of its 

 astringency, to stop gonorrhceal discharges ; antisyphilitic virtues are ascribed to the 

 l'oot of the same, and also of Berchemia volubilis ; and it is said by Rumphius, that in 

 the Moluccas the bark of Zizyphus Jujuba is employed as a remedy for diarrhoea. See 

 Royle's Illustrations, p. 169. The Quina of Brazil is the Discaria febrifuga, whose, 

 acrid root is employed in the form of extract as a febrifuge and tonic. The bark of 

 Zizyphus Joazeiro is bitter and astringent, with some acridity, and produces sickness. — 

 Martins. Similar qualities have been recognised in various other species. The kernels 

 of Zizyphus soporiferus are sedative, according to the Chinese, who employ them in 

 their medicine. The negroes of the Gambia prepare a wine from the fermented 

 berries of Zizyphus orthacanthus ; but those of Z. Baclei are regarded as poisons. 

 The bitter bark of Colubrina Fermentuni is said to bring on violent fermentation in the liquors 

 into which it is thrown. Gouania domingensis is stomachic ; Berchemia lineata a hydragogue, 

 according to Chinese authors. Finally, the root of Zizyphus Napeca is used as a remedy f< ir 

 windy colic. In Abyssinia the leaves of Rhamnus pauciflorus or Guecho are used like hops in 

 the preparation of beer ; and in the same country the bitter fruit of Rhamnus Staddo is employed 

 in like manner. 



GENERA. 



Ventilago, Gilrtn. 

 Paliurus, Tournef. 



Aspidocarpus, Neck. 

 Microrhamnus, A. Gray. 

 Zizyphus, Tournef. 

 Condalia, Cav. 

 Berchemia, Neck. 



(Enoplia, Schult. 

 Sageretia, Brongn. 

 Hovenia, Thunb. 

 Rhamnus, Juts. 



Alaternus, Tournef. 



Marcorella, Neck. 



Cervispina, Dill. 



Cardiolepis, Raf. 



Frangula, Tournef. 

 K;>rwinskia. Zucc. 



Scutia, Commers. 



Scntls, Commers. 



Sarcom/phalus, P. Br. 

 Noltca, Reichenb. 



Vittmannia, Wight. 



Willemetia, Brongn. 



Sarcomphaloides, DC. 

 Ceanothus, Linn. 



Forrestia, Raf. 

 Cormonema, Reiss. 



Arrabidea, Steud. 

 Colubrina, L. C. Rich. 



Tubanthera, Commers. 

 Alphitonia, Ri iss. 

 Colletia, Commers. 

 Discaria, Hook. 

 Adolphia, Meisn. 



Ochetophila, Ptipp. 

 Retanilla, Brongn. 



Molinwa, Commers. 

 Talguenea, Miers. 



Trevoa, Gill. 

 Walpersia, Reiss. 



Trichocephalus, Reiss. 



T:il antli ns, Reiss. 

 Petalopogon, R< iss. 

 Phylica, Linn. 

 Tylanthus, R< iss. 

 Soulangia, Brongn. 

 Spyridium, Fenzl. 

 dryptandra, Smith. 

 Pomaderris, LaJiill . 



Pomatoderris, Schult. 



Nligelia, Zolling. 

 Trymalium, Fenzl. 

 Gouania, JacQ. 



Retina rin. Giirtn. 

 Reissekia, Emit. 



Helmut, E. M. 



WUlimetia, E. Z. 

 Crumenaria, Mart. 

 ?Solenantha, G. Don. 

 ? Schaafferia, Jacq. 

 ? Samara, Linn. 

 ? Daphniphyllum, Blum 

 ?Galdicia. Neraud. 

 ?Quoia, Neraud. 

 ?Carolinia, Neraud. 



Numbers. Gen. 42. Sp. 250. 



A quifoliaccce. 

 Position. — Celastraeea\ — Rhamnace.k- 



Biittncriarrfr. 



-Chailletiaee?e. 



