488 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 
of four parts or more, while in Hippophae it is an elongated sac, 
dividing into two parts above. The androceum forms a single ver- 
ticil, except in Shepherdia, where there are two. The seeds usually 
have no albumen, but we have seen this represented in Hippophae 
and certain Oleasters by a slight fleshy layer around the lower part 
of the embryo. 
The normally single carpel' in Hleagnacee brings them near 
Lauracee. All authors have admitted the close alliance of these 
two orders. Fully adopting this view ourselves, we need not dwell 
on the relations of Hleagnacee with Proteacea, Thymelacee, Myris- 
ticacee, &c. We think moreover that as Lauracee represent the uni- 
carpellary type of Monimiacee with descending ovules, H/eagnacee 
represent the Monimiacee with ascending ovules. And moreover, 
as in some Monimiads the stamens dehisce by clefts, in others by 
valves, Hleagnacee will be analogous to the former, Zauwracee to the 
latter. 
This order contains few useful members,’ Several are ornamental 
owing to the more or less brilliant silvery gleam of their leaves. 
The following species are cultivated in our gardens and parks: 
Elaagnus hortensis, argentea, arborea, ferruginea, latifolia, the 
Shepherdias, and Hippophae rhamnoides. This latter tree, planted on 
the dunes of the coast, fixes the sand and protects the growth of 
lowlier plants. Its wood is sometimes used, as is that of some 
Oleasters. The species with sharp spines serve for making impene- 
trable fences. The bark, leaf-buds, and leaves of several species 
contain astringent matters. Hence they are used as tonic, febrifugal, 
and antirheumatic medicines. The Sea-Buckthorn in the North of 
Europe, the Bohemian Olive (Olivier de Bohéme) in the East, and 
the Shepherdias in America, are prized for these purposes. The 
generic name of Aextoxicum punctatum® indicates its venomous proper- 
ties. A poisonous matter has also been found in the fruits of 
Hippophae,‘ or rather in the fleshy part of the indusium, which are 
1 Occasional flowers have been seen with more et sa@pe diclinam constituentes.”? LINDLEY 
than one carpel. CZpER mentions one of Hippo- 
phae with two pistils. “In floribus forsan man- 
strosis, at in eodem specimine numerosissimis 
Hippophaes carpella vidi 2-4,” J. G. AGARDE 
(Theor. Syst. Pl., 177), The same author says 
of the affinities of Eleagnacee, “ Sunt Micran- 
theis fere collaterales, Rhamneis affinitate 
proxima, harwum formam inferiorem apetalam 
places this order next after Myricacee in his 
alliance Amentales. 
2? Enpu., Hnchirid., 212. — Linpt., Veg. 
Kingd., 257.—Rosrntu., Syn. Pl. Diaphor., 
243, 1113. 
3 Acetunillo, Olivillo, Teche, Palo muerto of 
the Chilians, 
4 Sanvac., in Chem, Gaz. (1844), 121. 
