2 D1AKDBIA MOKOGTNIA 



Obs. Common throughout the United States.— -and perhaps, tbi only spcclas of 

 the genus, amongst us ; for there is Strong reason to suspect, that the C. autumnal- 

 i$ % L. (C. linearis, Pursh.) and the C. terrestrit, Ruf. (C. hrovifulia, Pursh.) are 

 nothing more than Varieties of this remarkably polymorphous plint. 



The Var. antumnalis—vrhh leaves nearly all linear, and often bifid at the 

 end, —is usually found in shallow waters, and along the muddy margins of rivulets, 

 iu company with the Var, intermedia. 



The Var. terrestris— with short, obtuse, crowded and somewhat sicculent leaver- 

 occurs in soft muddy places which are not covered wilh water; and the stem is 

 consequently prostrate, and creeping. It seems, in fact, to bo a mere stunted vari 

 cty, resulting from its locality; and in this opinion several eninent Botanists 

 concur,- -of whom 1 may mention Professors Hooker and Torre? ; and my friend 

 Dr. Pickekino, of Philadelphia. 



The associated flowers in the axils have generally been considered as constitu- 

 ting one perfect flower in each ; but the arrangement of the parts seems pretty 

 i-learly to indicate two, distinct, unisexual flowers, closely crowded together. 



[Leersia virginica. Cinna arundinacca. Andropogun macrounu, and A. virgin i 

 cus. Triandria Digynia.] 



CLASS U. DIAXDRIA. 



Order 1. iTCoiiosynia. 



§ It Flo webb complete. A. Ovary superior. 



Corolla monopetalovs : f regular. • Fruit a Bern/. 



2. LIGUSTRUM. /,. Gen. PI. 23. 

 [jLatin, Ligare, to tie ; from the use made of its pliable branci.es.] 



Calyx minutely 4-toothed. Corolla 4-lobed ; lobes orate, spreading. 

 (Jerry 2-celled; cells 2-seeded. 



Shrubs : leaves opposite, simple ; flowers in terminal panicler. Nat. Ord. 20.V 

 Lindl. Olbacbji. 



1. L. vrioins, L. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, entire, icute or obtuse, 

 mucronulate, glabrous; panicle racemoHC, crowded. Heck, JBot.p. 231. 

 Common Liotjstrux. Vulgo — Privet. Prim. 

 Gallic*— -Troene. Germanice — Der Hartriegel. Hispanice — Alhefia. 



Stem 6 to 8 ot 10 feet high, much branched, branches opposite. Leaves varying 

 from lanceolate and acute, to elliptic, or oblanceolate and obttse. Calyx small, 

 monosepalous, with four minute, almost obsolete teeth. Corolla white, funnel-form, 

 the tube longer than the calyx. Berry black, globose. 



Hob. Along fences, and road sides : frequent. Fl. June. Fr. October. 



Obs. This shrub was introduced from England, by the early settlers of Chester 

 County, and cultivated for hedges ; but it did not answer the purpose well, and was 

 soon neglected. It is now extensively naturalised. The leaves,— which are hardy, 

 and often persist until mid-w inter,— are considerably stimulant: and are frequent- 

 ly chewed, or used in gargles, as a popular remedy for ulcers in the mouth and 

 throat. There is a variety with white berries, occasionally cultivated by the curi- 

 ous. 





