278 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



possess no particular qualities, except that Glohularia is 

 poisonous. 



Stilhacece is a small family, by some botanists considered 

 to be allied to VerhenacecB. It consists of about half a 

 dozen species of heath-like shrubs, natives of South Africa, 

 having small flowers produced in terminal compact heads or 

 spikes. They are only botanically interesting. 



The Mustard Tree Family. 



( S AL VAD OR ACE^ . ) 



Soft-wooded trees or shrubs, with opposite, entire, leathery 

 leaves. Flowers in compact panicles. Fruit a 1 -celled, 

 1 -seeded berry. 



A small family, probably not exceeding 8 species, 5 of 

 which belong to the genus Salvadora. They are natives of 

 India, Ceylon, Arabia, North Africa, and Syria, the one 

 most worthy of notice being persica, which is found grow- 

 ing in Palestine, in the valley of the Dead Sea, and on account 

 of its Arabic name and pungent berries, it was supposed by 

 Dr. Boyle to be the Mustard Tree* of Scripture, but this 

 view is not generally received. 



S. Indica, a native of Ceylon, is a much larger tree, having 

 a diameter of 1| to 2 feet, and of a very soft corky substance. 

 Botanists differ in their views respecting the affinity of this 

 family. It appears to have closer affinity to the present 

 alliance than to any other. 



The False Sandalwood Family. 



(Myoporace^.) 



Small trees, shrubs, fruticuls, or frutlets. Leaves alternate, 

 simple, entire, rarely pubescent, sometimes with pellucid 

 dots. Flowers solitary or several together in the axils of th 



* St. Matthew, chap. xiii. ver. 31. 



