96 CLASS V. ORDER I. 



bunches of minute white flowers, on very slender white pedicels. 

 Calyx segments five, inflexed between the petals. Petals hooded 

 at the end, on slender claws which project, together with the 

 stamens, between the segments of the calyx. Nectary a small 

 dark green circle around the germ. Stamens opposite the pe- 

 tals, bent inward at first, finally erect. Germ triangular, style 

 three cleft. Fruit a dry, three celled, blackish, somewhat trian- 

 gular berry, growing in close bunches. 



The leaves were used, among other substitutes, for tea, during 

 the American revolution. — Flowers in June. 



*Ceanothus ovalis. Oval Ceanofhus. 



C. foliis ovalibus, glandidoso-serratis , triplinerviis, 

 nervis piibescentibus ; paniculis corymbosis, abbreviatis. 



Leaves oval with glandular serratnres, three nerved, 

 the veins pubescent underneath ; panicle corymbose, 

 abbreviated. 



Leaves from one to three inches long, petioled, elliptical, some- 

 times oblong, obtuse or subacute, crenately serrate, the serratures 

 tipped with small black glands which are most conspicuous in 

 the young leaves, the veins slightly pubescent beneath, and some- 

 times the under surface covered with glands. Peduncles or flow- 

 ering branches shorter than in the last species ; often very short. 

 Flowers larger than in the last, in short hemispherical panicles 

 resembling corymbs, white. Fruit blackish. — On the shores of 

 Lake Champlain, gathered by Dr. Boott. 



It appears to me distinct from C. intermedins of Elliott and 

 Pursh, and much larger. Dr. Hooker thinks them identical. 



106. CELASTRUS. 

 Celastrus scandens. L. Climbing Staff tree. Waxwork. 

 Unarmed ; leaves oblong, acuminate, serrate ; ra- 

 cemes terminal ; stem twining. Willd. 



A strong woody vine, twining round small trees and climbing 

 to a great height. Flowers of a greenish white, in small racemes 

 on the ends of the young shoots. The fruit is a berried capsule. 

 When ripe, the three valves turn backward, disclosing a bright 



