JASMINACE^. 



553 



on the corolla, and alternating with its segments. Ovary sessile, 4- 

 celled, with one pendulous ovule in each cell, and crowned by 4 minute 

 sessile stigmas. Fruit a berry, or rather a small drupe, including 4 

 stones or nuts, each containing a single seed. 



The species are numerous in the warmer parts of the northern hemi- 

 sphere, as well as in the tropics, but reduced to very few in the more 

 temperate regions. 



1. Common Holly. Ilex Aquifolium, Linn. (Fig. 662.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 496.) 



An erect, much branched evergreen 

 shrub or bushy tree ; the leaves shortly 

 stalked, ovate, thick and shining, some 

 quite entire, others much waved, and 

 bordered with strong, very prickly, 

 coarse teeth. Flowers white, in dense 

 clusters in the axils of the leaves. Berries 

 bright red or yellow. 



Common in hedges and woods in 

 western and southern Europe, and in 

 central Asia, from the Caucasus to the 

 Himalaya, but will not bear the win- 

 ters of north-eastern Europe or north- 

 ern Asia. Extends all over Britain, ex- 

 cept the north-east of Scotland. Fl. sum- 

 mer. 



Fig. 662. 



The Snoiv drop -tree (Halesia) from North America, and the Styrax 

 from south-eastern Europe and Western Asia, both occasionally to be 

 met with in our shrubberies and plantations, belong to the small Styrax 

 family, which is entirely exotic. It consists of trees and shrubs, with 

 the calyx often partially adherent to the ovary, the corolla monopeta- 

 lous, and stamens, although inserted on the corolla, usually more or 

 less united together. 



XLVI. JESSAMINE FAMILY. JASMINACEiE. 



Trees, shrubs, or tall climbers, with opposite (or in a very few 

 exotic species alternate) leaves, entire or pinnate, and flowers 



VOL. IT. E 



