488 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



of four parts or more, while in Hippophae it is an elongated sac, 

 dividing into two parts above. The androceum forms a single ver- 

 ticil, except in Shepherdia, where there are two. The seeds usually 

 have no albumen, but we have seen this represented in Hippophae 

 and certain Oleasters by a slight fleshy layer around the lower part 

 of the embryo. 



The normally single carpel 1 in Elaagnacea? brings them near 

 Lauracece. All authors have admitted the close alliance of these 

 two orders. Fully adopting this view ourselves, we need not dwell 

 on the relations of Elceagnacc& with Protectees, Thgmelacea, Myris- 

 ticacece, &c. We think moreover that as Lauracece represent the uni- 

 carpellary type of Monimiacece with descending ovules, Elceagnacece 

 represent the Monimiacece with ascending ovules. And moreover, 

 as in some Monimiads the stamens dehisce by clefts, in others by 

 valves, Elceagnacece will be analogous to the former, Lauracece to the 

 latter. 



This order contains few useful members. 2 Several are ornamental 

 owing to the more or less brilliant silvery gleam of their leaves. 

 The following species are cultivated in our gardens and parks : 

 Elceagnus hortensis, argentea, arborea, fem/gi/iea, lafifo/ia, the 

 S/upherdias, and Hippophae rhamnoides. This latter tree, planted on 

 the dunes of the coast, fixes the sand and protects the growth of 

 lowlier plants. Its wood is sometimes used, as is that of some 

 Oleasters. The species with sharp spines serve for making impene- 

 trable fences. The bark, leaf-buds, and leaves of several species 

 contain astringent matters. Hence they are used as tonic, febrifugal, 

 and antirheumatic medicines. The Sea-Buckthorn in the North of 

 Europe, the Bohemian Olive {Olivier de Boheme) in the East, and 

 the S/upherdias in America, are prized for these purposes. The 

 generic name of Aextoxicum punclatum 3 indicates its venomous proper- 

 ties. A poisonous matter has also been found in the fruits of 

 Hippophae,* or rather in the fleshy part of the indusium, which are 



1 Occasional flowers have been seen with more et scepe dirfinam consiituente.i." Lindley 



than one carpel. (Eder mentions one of Hippo- places this order next after Myricacea in his 



phae with two pistils. " In Jloribus forsan mon- alliance Amentales. 



strosis, at in eodem specimine numerosissvmis v E>dl., Enchirid., 212. — LlNDL., Veg. 



Hippophaes carpella vidi 2-4," J. G. Agardh Kin/jd., 257. — Rosenth., Syn. PI. Diaphor., 



(T/ieor. St/st. PL, 177). The same author says 243, 1113. 



of the affinities of ElcEagnacea, " Sunt Micran- 3 Acctunillo, Olivillo, Teche, Palo muerto of 



theis fere collaterales, Khanineis affinitate the Chilians. 



proximo?, hamm formam inferiorem apetalam 4 SiHTAG., in Client. <iaz. (1844), 121. 



