384 MANUAL OF BOTANY 



especially distinguished from other Oleacece by the imbricate 

 cBstivation of the corolla, erect ovules, and the small quantity 

 of albumen in the seed. 



Distribution and Nu/mbers. — The plants of this order are 

 principally natives of temperate and warm regions, but some 

 also occur within the ixo^ias. Illustrative Genera : — Olea, Linn. ; 

 Ligustrum, Tourn. ; Praxinus, Tourn. ; Jasminum, Limn. 

 There are about 250 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The barks of many plants of this order 

 are tonic and febrifugal. The mild purgative called Manna is 

 obtained from a species of Ash. The pericarp of the common 

 OHve yields the well-known Olive Oil. Other species are re- 

 markable for the hardness of their wood. The plants of the 

 Jasminese have generally fragrant flowers. The volatile oil of 

 Jasmine, which is used in perfumery, is chiefly obtained by 

 distillation from the flowers of Jasminum officinale and J. 

 grandiflorum,. The fragrant flowers of J. Sambac are used as 

 votive offerings in India ; they are also said to have much 

 power in arresting the secretion of milk. The leaves and 

 roots of some species of Jasminum are reputed bitter, and have 

 been employed for various purposes, but generally speaking this 

 tribe contains no active medicinal plants. The flowers of 

 Nyctanthes Arbor tristis a,re employed in India for dyeing yellow. 



Order 186. SalvadoracejG, the Salvadora Order. — C h a r a c- 

 t e r. — Shrubs or small trees. Leaves opposite, entire, leathery, 

 exstipulate. i^Zowers small, panicled. CaZj/a; of 4sepals. Corolla 

 4-partite, membranous. Stamens 4. Ovary 1 — 2-celled ; stigma 

 sessile. Fruit fleshy, 1-celled, with a solitary erect seed. Seeds 

 exalbuminous. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives of India, Syria, and 

 North Africa. Illustrative Genera: — Salvadora, Linn.; Monetia, 

 L'Herit. 



Properties and Uses. — Some are acrid and stimulant. The 

 fruit of Salvadora persica is edible, and resembles the garden 

 Cress in taste. The bark of the root is acrid, and is employed 

 as a blistering agent in India. The leaves are reputed to be 

 purgative. 



Order 187. Apocynaoejb, the Dogbane Order. — C h a r a ct er. — 

 Trees or shrubs, juice usually milky and acrid. Leaves entire, 

 commonly opposite, but occasionally whorled ot scattered,' 

 exstipulate. Calyx inferior, 5-partite, persistent. Corolla 

 5-lobed; cestivation contorted. Stamens 5, alternate with the 

 lobes of the corolla ; filaments distinct ; anthers united to the 



