CXLIII. SALVADOKACE^E. 547 



Oleinece were formerly united with Jasminece : in both the stem is woody, the leaves opposite, the 

 flowers diandrous and racemed or panicled, the ovary has two 1-2-ovuled cells, the ovule is anatropous, and 

 the fruit capsular or fleshy ; but Jasminece differ in the imbricate corolla-lobes, the basifixed anthers, the 

 ascending ovule, and the albumen being reduced to a thin membrane when ripe. A relation has also been 

 observed between Oleinece and Apocynece, both having a woody stem, opposite leaves, hypogynous stami- 

 niferous corolla, valvate aestivation in some, contorted in others, a 2-celled ovary (at least in Carissa), and 

 an albuminous embryo. Finally, comparing Oleinece with JRubiacece, we find in common the opposite 

 leaves, staminiferous corolla, valvate aestivation, 2-celled ovary, pendulous ovules, albuminous embryo, 

 and fleshy or dry fruit. Jtubiacete principally differ in the epigynous and isostemonous corolla, and the 

 stipulate or whorled leaves. The same observation applies to Caprifoliacece, which further differ in the 

 imbricate aestivation of their corolla. 



Oleinece mostly inhabit the northern hemisphere. The Oleinece proper prefer the northern temperate and 

 warm regions ; some are, however, tropical, and even extend beyond the tropic of Capricorn. [Olea occurs 

 in New Zealand and South Africa, Notelcea is Australian, and both Chionanthtts and Linociera are 

 American.] Fraxinece all grow north of 23, and Africa possesses none [except in Barbavy and the Medi- 

 terranean region]. Most Ashes are American ; some are scattered over Europe and temperate Asia. 

 Lilacs are natives of the East. 



The most useful species of this family is the Olive (Olea europcea), which has spread from the East 

 throughout the Mediterranean region. The fixed oil expressed from the pericarp of its drupe holds the 

 first place among alimentary oils. The unripe drupe macerated in brine is eaten, as are those of some 

 exotic species (O. americana, frngrans, &c.). The bark and leaves of the Olive, Privet (Lifftietrttm vulgare) 

 and Phillyrea were formerly used as bitter- astringent medicines. The bark of the Common Ash (Fraxinvs 

 excelsior) is bitter, and has been proposed as a substitute for quinine. Manna is a sugary concreted 

 juice, gathered in Sicily on two species of Ash (F. Ornus and rotundifolia) ; it exudes spontaneously from 

 the puncture of a Cigala {Cicada Orni), but its flow is induced by regular incisions made in the bark 

 during summer. Manna is almost entirely composed of mamrite, a proximate principle, which rapidly 

 decomposes; whence Manna, which when fresh is simply nutritious, becomes nauseous, and is employed 

 as a purgative, a quality which disappears when the manna has been boiled for a long time. [Olive 

 wood is extremely hard and durable. The flowers of O.fruyrans are used to scent teas in China. Lilac 

 bark is a renowned^ febrifuge in certain malarious districts of France. Ash wood is well known aa 

 invaluable for its lightness, flexibility and strength. ED.] 



CXLIII. SALVADOEACE^E, Lindl. 



Glabrous glaucous powdery SHEUBS ; brandies marked with, transverse scars. 

 LEAVES opposite, petioled, entire, coriaceous, obscurely veined, furnished with 2 

 minute stipules. FLOWERS inconspicuous, in spicate paniculate racemes. CALYX 

 small, 4-toothed, aestivation imbricate. COROLLA hypogynous, monopetalous, mem- 

 branous, aestivation imbricate. STAMENS 4, very short, inserted on the corolla, 

 uniting its lobes and alternate with them ; anthers 2-celled, introrse. DISK hypo- 

 gynous, 4- lobed. OVARY free, 2-celled ; stigma 2-lobed, sub-sessile ; ovules gemmate, 

 ascending, anatropous. SEEDS 4-1, erect [pendulous, Dobera and Monetia] ; testa 

 pulpy, exalbuminous. EMBRYO with fleshy plano-convex cotyledons and inferior 

 radicle. 



ONLY GENUS. 

 Monetia. Salvadora. Dobera. 



NN 2 



