xxxiv 



INTRODUCTION. 



of germination, resembles a coiled snake. No 

 plant of this order is indigenous to Britain, but 

 several varieties of Horse-chestnut are common 

 in parks and plantations. The Pavia-tree is not 

 unfrequently to be met with in such situations. 

 It differs from the Horse-chestnut in having its 

 seeds enclosed in a smooth instead of prickly case. 



CELASTRINE^. 



SPINDLE-TREE TRIBE. 



A rather large number of plants are included 

 in this order, but not many of great interest. 

 They are natives of the warmer parts of Europe, 

 North America, and Asia, and a great number 

 inhabit the Cape of Good Hope. A few^ also 

 occur in Chili, Peru, and New Holland. Many 

 of them possess an acrid, stimulant principle : the 

 green leaves of one species are said to be eaten 

 by the Arabs to produce watchfulness, and a 

 sprig of it is believed to be a protection from the 

 plague to the person who carries it. The only 

 British species, the Spindle-tree, is most remark- 

 able for its pink, lobed seed-vessels, which, in 

 autumn, render the tree a conspicuous object. 

 One species of Celastrus (the genus from which 

 the order takes its name) is said to inflict pain- 

 ful w^ounds. The English name is derived from 

 the use made of its very compact wood. 



