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PRIVET. — LIGUSTRUM. 



Natural order, Sepiarice. Jasminece, Juss. A 

 genus of the Diandria Monogynia class. 



" Alba ligustra cadunt, vaccinia nigra leguntur." Virgil. 



" Nor will the breast where fancy glows 

 Deem every flower a weed, that blows 



Amid the desert plain." Shenstone. 



" But who their virtues can declare ? who pierce 

 With vision pure, into these sacred stores 

 Of health, and life, and joy." Thomson. 



This native shrub is one of the prettiest 

 ornaments of our hedgerows, which it con- 

 tinues to embellish for a longer period than 

 most other plants ; for, although it is deci- 

 duous, the leaves seldom fall until thrust off 

 by those of the succeeding spring. And its 

 spike-formed thyrsi of white monopetalous 

 flowers, which in shape resemble those of the 

 lilac in miniature, are in blossom from the 

 beginning of May to the end of June, agree- 

 ably perfuming the hedges ; and its clustering 

 bunches of deep purple shining berries gar- 

 nish the spray of this shrub during the whole 



