PLANTS. 249 



exclusively to southern climates ; the first is believed to 

 be the same genus as that from -which the cross on which 

 the Saviour suffered was made ; the latter, which grows 

 only in northern Africa, is known through the Odys- 

 sy. h. 



Next in order is 



The Holly (Ilex aquifolium). A large bush, with 

 smooth, green bark on the branches ; leaves evergreen, 

 oval, leathery, and spinous; flowers white, hanging in 

 pedicels, and very red berries. The wood is fine grained, 

 compact, useful in turnery, etc. Ilex is the ancient 

 name of the Holm Oak, Hollyicorts or Aquifoliacece 

 of the race in general. Genera 11, species 110. Na- 

 tives of America and Africa. Only one, the Holm oak 

 or Ilex being found in Europe. ] 2. 



The Spindle Tree Burning Bush (euonymus eu- 

 ropseus) is a handsome shrub from four to twelve feet 

 high, with ragged, angular branches; leaves elliptical, 

 pointed, and notched. Flowers greenish-white, hanging 

 forkedly in clusters. The fruit is four-cornered rather 

 than globular ; capsules crimson and smooth ; seeds 

 white, inclosing a green kernel. Grows in gardens, or 

 wild in the Southern States ; the wood is valuable to 

 turners, and the small branches make good charcoal 

 crayons, h. 



TWENTY-FIFTH FAMILY. TEREBINTHE.E. (Class 

 2, L.) This family belongs to the shores of the Medi- 

 terranean ; is well known and valuable as furnishing use- 

 ful gums and fruits resembling almonds. 



The Pistachio Tree (Pistacia vera), of moderate 



size, was brought originally from Persia, but is now 



common in Italy ; the male flowers are in catkins ; the 



female hung in simple clusters. It bears nut-like fruit, 



11* 



