THE ALDER BUCKTHORN. 485 
Its common name of Alder Buckthorn may 
perhaps have been suggested by the similarity of 
the veining of its leaves to those of the Alder, 
although the even-edged leaves of Rhamnus fran- 
gula are in their general shape very unlike those 
of Alnus glutinosa, being oval in shape, and pointed 
at their apices. The flowers of the Alder Buck- 
thorn—greatly sought after by the honey-seeking 
bees—are white, but are empurpled by the tints of 
their anthers. The succeeding cathartic berries are 
dark-purple in colour, and help, with the reddish 
green hue of the decaying leaves, to add beauty to 
the autumnal landscape. 
