RHAMNE^ 



Orl). XXIII. Rhamne.-k. — The Buckthorn Family 



Trees or shrubs, with simple km<t's, minute stipules, and small 

 greenish floiuers ; sepals 4 or 5, united, valvate ; petals 4 or 5, 

 inserted in the throat of the calyx, oij absent ; stamens 4 or 5, 

 opposite the. petals; ovary superior or half superior, 2 — 4-chara- 



bered, surrounded by a 

 fleshy disk ; fruit fleshy 

 and indehiscent, or dry 

 and separating into three 

 divisions ; seeds one in 

 each chamber, '/jzyphus 

 Lotus is reputed to have 

 been the food of the 

 ancient Lotus-eaters, the 

 -Lotophagi mentioned by 

 Homer in the "Odyssey." 

 it is a jjrickly shrub 

 with numerons purplish 

 berries, of the size of sloes, 

 with mealy pulp of a de- 

 licious flavour, and large 

 stones. Other species of 

 this genus produce the 

 jujube, well known in 

 this country as a sweet- 

 meat. Z. spina-Christi 

 .and Paliunis aculcdtiis, 

 prickly shrubs, common 

 in the East, are severally 

 belie^'ed by many persons 

 to have formed our 

 "Blessed Saviour's crown 

 of thorns. The berries 

 •of species of Rlidmnus 

 are used as dves, in 

 making sap-green paint, 

 and in medicine, an ex- 

 tract of li. Fui's/iidfius being considerably employed under the 

 name Cascnra sagrada, " sacred bark "'; but they are too violent 

 and uncertain m their effects to be used'with safely. Two species 

 of this genus are the only British representatives of the Order. 



I. Rhamnus (Buckthorn). — Shrubs or small trees ; leaves 

 scattered ; flowers sometimes unisexual ; calyx urceolate ; fruit 



rhA.mnus cath Irticu'; (Common Biicklhoni\ 



