CELASTRACEiE. 



219 



112. 



even where all other means- had failed. He also found it beneficial in those 

 cases of ulceration of the fauces attendant on scarlatina ; in these he used it 

 in combination with Mayweed (Maruta cotula) and borax. He further adds, 

 that as an astringent in dysentery, he found it fully as efficacious as the 

 Hardhack (Spirea tomentosa). 



With this testimony in its favour, it well deserves a more extended trial, 

 and if it should be found to merit even in part what has been said of it, it 

 will rank as an important article of our native Materia Medica. It may be 

 mentioned, that the C. ccsruleus is considered as a powerful febrifuge in 

 Mexico, and that the C. decolor is employed in dysentery in Senegal. 



Order 41.— CELASTRACEiE.— Lindley. 



Sepals 4 — 5, imbricated, inserted in the edge of an expanded disk. Petals as many as 

 sepals, inserted by a broad base into the disk ; aestivation imbricate. Stamens as many 

 as petals, and alternate with them, inserted on the margin, or within the edge of the disk. 

 Anthers innate. Disk large, expanded, flat, closely surrounding the ovary. Ovary im- 

 mersed in the disk, free from the calyx. Fruit superior, 2 — 5-celled, either drupaceous 

 or capsular. Seeds ascending, either arillate or the reverse. Albumen fleshy. Embryo 

 straight. 



An order composed of small trees or shrubs, with alternate, seldom oppo- 

 site, simple leaves, with 



small deciduous stipules. Flg - 



The flowers are small, 

 green, white, or purple, in 

 axillary cymes. The spe- 

 cies are found in the warm 

 parts of Europe, Asia, and 

 North America, very abun- 

 dant in South Africa ; they 

 are principally extra-tropi- 

 cal. 



The most general charac- 

 ter of the order is acridity, 

 but the seeds yield an oil 

 which is useful for a variety 

 of purposes. The bark of 

 Celastrus scandens, a native 

 plant, has considerable re- 

 putation in domestic prac- 

 tice as an emetic, discutient, 

 and anti-syphilitic; it also 

 appears to possess some nar- 

 cotic powers. Riddett (Syn. 

 Fl. 33) states that it is used 

 by the Thomsonians as a 

 stimulating diuretic, and 

 considered capable of re- 

 moving hepatic obstructions. 

 The C. senegalensis has 

 much the same properties, 

 while the spines of C. vene- 

 natus are stated to cause 

 the most painful wounds. 

 Many species of Evonymus 

 are also possessed of active 



W 5 II 6 



E. atropurpureus. 



1. Petals. 2. Calyx. 3. Disk with stamens. 4. Stamen. 

 5. Ripe fruit. 6. Section of do. 7. Seed. 8, 9. Sections of do. 



