KHAMNACE.^. 153 



XXII. THE CELASTETJS FAMILY. CELASTEACE.^. 



A rather numerous family, ia -warm climates of both the 

 new and the old world, and in the southern hemisphere, but 

 confined in Britain to the single genus Sjjindle-tree. The 

 exotic genera associated with it differ chiefly in the shape of 

 the parts of the flowers, or in the various forms the fruit 

 assumes as it ripeus. 



I. SFISTDZiE-TREE. EVONTMUS. 



Slirubs, with opposite, undivided leaves, and small, greeu or purplish, 

 regular flowers, in loose, axillary cvmes. Calvx small and flat, with 4 or 5 

 broad, short lobts, overlapping tath other in the bud. Petals as many, also 

 overlapping each other. Stamens as many, altei'nating with the petals, 

 and united with them on a slightly thickened disk, which covers the base of 

 the calyx. Ovai-y immersed in the di-k, with a very short, protruding style. 

 Capsule with 4, (rarely 3 or 5) angles or lobes, enclosing as many cells, and 

 opening, when ripe, hi as many valves along tlie middle of each cell. Seeds 

 solitary in each cell, enclosed in a coloured, fleshy arillus. Embryo in a 

 fleshy albumen. 



A genus widely diffused over Europe, Asia, and North America, and 

 easily recognized by its fruit. 



1. Common Spindle-tree. Evonymus europseus, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 362. Spmdle-tree) 



A glabrous shrub, about 3 to 5 feet high. Leaves shortly stalked, ovate- 

 oblong or lanceolate, pointed, and minutely tootlied. Peduncles shorter 

 than the leaves, whh seldom more than 3 or 5 flowers, of a yellovish-green 

 colour. Petals 4, obovate, about 2 lines long, the stamens half that length. 

 Pod red when ripe, opening at the angles so as to show the seeds enclosed in 

 a brilliant orange-coloured arillus. 



In hedges and thickets, in temperate and southern Europe, and western 

 Asia, extending into southern Scandinavia. Frequent in many parts of 

 England and Ireland, but does not reach far into Scotlaud. Fl. spring or 

 early summer. 



The E. lafifolius, from the continent of Europe, the E. atropurpureus, 

 from Korth America, and some other exotic species, are occasionally planted 

 in our shrubberies. 



XXIII. THE BTJCKTHOEN FAMILY. EHAMNACE.^. 



An extensive family, widely dispersed over the globe, but 

 confined in Britain to the single genus BitcTfthorn. The 

 exotic genera all agree with that one, and differ from the ad- 

 joining families in the position of the stamens, alternating with 

 the sepals, the petals either small and opposite to (or under- 

 neath) the stamens, or wanting. 



