FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS 191 
a cylindric calyx, the corolla being frequently wanting; the stamens are 
4-5 or twice as many, borne on the calyx. There are about 37 genera 
and 425 species, the family being largely represented in Australia and 
South Africa, but some of the genera exhibiting a wide distribution. 
One of the largest is Daphne, species of which are found in the temper- 
ate portions of nearly every continent. D. Mezerewm is well-known in 
Kurope and cultivated for its fragrant pink flowers, appearing in spring 
Fig. 168. European Mezereon (Daphne Mezereum). 
before the leaves expand. The bark of this and the Spurge Laurel 
(D. Laureola) has been used in medicine; it is exceedingly acrid. A 
very good quality of paper is manufactured from the tough inner bark 
of certain Asiatic species. 
In the United States the family is represented by the leather-wood 
or moosewood (Dirca palustris) a shrub with small yellow flowers and 
withe-like stems. In Australia, Pimelea comprises many species, some 
of which are ornamental in cultivation. 
Family Elaeagnaceae. Oleaster Family. Contains 3 genera and 
about 20 species of wide distribution. They are shrubs or trees, pecu- 
liar and conspicuous on account of their silvery-scaly foliage. The 
flowers are variously clustered and dioecious, the staminate flowers 
‘with a 4-parted calyx and 4 or 8 stamens, the pistillate with the upper 
