CELASTEACEJE. 



177 



XXII. THE CELASTRUS FAMILY. CELASTRACE^l. 



A rather numerous family, in warm climates of both the new 

 and the old world, and in the southern hemisphere, but confined 

 in Britain to the single genus Spindle -tree. The exotic genera 

 associated with it differ chiefly in the shape of the parts of the 

 flowers, or in the various forms the frnit assumes as it ripens. 



I. SPINDLE-TREE. EVONYMUS. 



Shrubs, with opposite, undivided leaves, and small, green or purplish, 

 regular flowers, in loose, axillary cymes. Calyx small and flat, with 4 

 or 5 broad, short lobes, overlapping each other in the bud. Petals as 

 many, also overlapping each other. Stamens as many, alternating 

 with the petals, and united with them on a slightly thickened disk, 

 which covers the base of the calyx. Ovary immersed in the disk, with 

 a very short, protruding style. Capsule with 4 (rarely 3 or 5) angles 

 or lobes, enclosing as many cells, and opening, when ripe, in as many 

 valves along the middle of each cell. Seeds solitary in each cell, en- 

 closed in a coloured, fleshy arillus. Embryo in a fleshy albumen. 



A genus widely diffused over Europe, Asia, and JNTorth America, and 

 easily recognized by its fruit. 



1. Common Spindle-tree. Evonymus europseus, Linn. 



(Fig. 220.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 362. Spindle-tree.) 



A glabrous shrub, about 3 to 5 feet 

 high. Leaves shortly stalked, ovate- 

 obloug or lanceolate, pointed, and mi- < 

 nutely toothed. Peduncles shorter than 

 the leaves, with seldom more than 3 or 

 5 flowers, of a yellowish-green colour. 

 Petals 4, obovate, about 2 lines long, the 

 stamens half that length. Pod red when 

 ripe, opening at the angles so as to show 

 the seeds enclosed in a brilliant orange- 

 coioured arillus. 



In hedges and thickets, in tempe- 

 rate and southern Europe, and western [ 

 Asia, extending into southern Scandina- 

 via. Frequent in many parts of England 

 and Ireland, but does not reach far 

 into Scotland. Fl. spring or early sum- 

 mer. 



Fig. 220. 



VOL. I. 



