SAXDAL-\VOOD FAMILY 433 



the supporting tree, pierces its bnrk, and finally roots itself 

 in the growing wood. The Common Mistletoe is capable of 

 growing on a great number of very different trees, having the 

 power of selecting and appropriating to its own use such juices 

 as arc fitted for its sustenance. It may readily be propagated by 

 attaching the fresh berries to the bark on -the under side of a 

 branch of the Apple. Great virtues were attributed to this plant 

 by the Druids ; but it has now no medicinal -repute, though there 

 IS an enormous demand for it in connection with Christmas 

 festivities. 



1. A'itCum (Mistletoe). — Flowers dicecious, small, green, clus- 

 tered in the forks of the branches ; periaiilh-Jeaves 4, united ; 

 stamens many-chambered, opening by pores : stigma sessile. 

 (Name, the Latin name of the plant, signifying birdlime or 

 alluding to the sticky berry.) 



I. r. album (Common Mistletoe). — The only Briti:^h species, a 

 yellow-green, glabrous plant with bifurcating cylindric stems; 

 thick, leathery, obtuse leaves, narrower on the staminate plants ; 

 berries waxen-white. — On the Apple and other trees, but very 

 rarely on the Oak; chiefly in the south. Most conspicuous in 

 winter, when its berries ripen. — Fl. March — iMay. Perennial. 



Ord. LXX. Saxtalace-€. — .Saxd.\l-wood Fa.mily 



A small Order of herbs, shrubs, and trees, mostly root-parasiies, 

 which are widely distributed over the globe.,' They have mostly 

 scattered, simple, exstipulate leaves; small fto'cei's; perianth 

 attached to the ovary, 3 — 5-cleft, valvate wjien in bud ; sianiens 

 as many as the lobes of the perianth, and opposite and attached 

 to them, with short filaments ; ovary i-chambered ; style i ; ovules 

 2 — 5 ; jruit hard, dry, indehiscent, i -seeded. The only important 

 product of the Order is the fragrant wood of the East India 

 Sandal-wood {Sdutalum album) and of the allied Australasian 

 species, which is used for cabinet-work, incense, perfumery, and 

 medicine. There is only one British species* 



I. Thksil'm (Bast.ird Toad-fla.\). — Slendei^ herbs with narrow 

 leaves: perfect flowers; penant/i 4 — 5-cleft, persistent ; stameus 

 4 — 5, each with a tuft of hairs at its base ; style short ; stigma 

 undivided; ovules 3. — (Xame of doubtful origin.) 



I. T. humijuswn (Bastard Toad-flax). — The only British species; 

 a small plant with fibrous roots attached to those of various other 

 plants ; a yellow, woody rliisome; prostrate br'auches spreading in 

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