BIJCKTHORN FAMILY. 



85 



65 



Order XX. EHAMNA'CE^. (Buckthorn Family.) 



Slinibs or small trees having simple mostly alternate leaves with stipules minute or obsolete, 

 and small, regular, sometimes apetalous powers. Stamens 4-5, perigynous, as many as 

 the valvate sepals, alternate with them and opposite the hooded or concave petals. Sta- 

 mens and petals inserted on the edge of sl fleshy disk which lines the tube of the calyx 

 and sometimes coheres with the lower part of the 2 - 5-celled ovary. Stigmas 2-5. Fruit a 

 drupe or nod with 1-seeded cells ; seeds not arilled, embryo large, iu a sparing fleshy albu- 

 men. 



1. EHAM'NUS, Tournef. Buckthorn. 



[An ancient Greek name, alluding to its numerous branchlets.] 



Calyx 4 - 5-cleft, the bell-shaped tube lined with the thin disk. Petals 

 4-5, small, notched at the end, short-clawed, wrapped round the short 

 stamens or sometimes wanting. Ovary free, 2 — 4-celled. Fruit a berry- 



FiG. 64. A palmately compound leaf of Virginia Creeper (Ampelopsis quinciuvfolial. 65, 

 An enlarged flower. 



