SQUIRTING OF ECOiTOMIC PLANTS. 389 



Spindle Tree {JEuonymus ^'wropoj^^s), a low spreading tree of the 

 family Celastrace^, native of this country, generally found grow- 

 ing in hedges or on the margins of woods. The wood is compact, 

 capable of being split into very fine strips, and is nsed by watch- 

 makers in cleansing watches, and is known to them by the name 

 of Dogwood ; it is also said to be used for shoe pegs, skewers, and 

 such like. 



Spiraea frutex, an old garden name for S;piTma salicifolia, a 

 shrub of the Eose family (Eosacese), native of some localities 

 in Scotland, IsTorthern England, and Wales, one of a numerous 

 genus of pretty garden shrubs, natives of the temperate zone of 

 the northern hemisphere. The genus also contains many herba- 

 ceous species, such as the well-known Meadow-sweet (;?. Ulmario) 

 and the Dropwort {S. F%hjoenduld), both natives of this country, 

 and the strong-growing garden perennial S. Aruncus, native of 

 Austria and Siberia. ISTo special economical uses are recorded 

 of any of the species. 



Spotted Tree, a name in Queensland for Flindersia maculosa, 

 a tree of the Mahogany family (Cedrelacese). It derives its name 

 from the bark falling off in small pieces, which makes the trunk 

 appear as if it were spotted. 



Sprnce Fir. {See Fir Trees.) 



Spurge. {See Euphorbia ) 



Spurge Laurel {Daphne Laureola), a pretty evergreen shrub 

 of the family Thymelaeaceoe, with poisonous berries, native of this 

 country. Other species of the genus are highly-ornamental 

 garden plants. D, indica and D, odor a are prized in the green- 

 house for their sweet smell. 



Squash. {See Gourd.) 



Squill {Seilla maritima)^ a bulbous plant of the Lily family 

 (Liliaceae), found on the coasts of the Mediterranean, and also 

 abundant at Malta, from whence it is imported. It is used in 

 medicine, being a powerful irritant, and is prescribed in dropsical 

 and other complaints. 



Squirting Cucumber {MhaUium Materium). — This plant has 

 the same habit and appearance, and belongs to the same family 



