CELASTRUS. 



89 



Thunberg observed a species of the Celastrus in Japan, 

 which for the singular appearance of its winged branches, 

 he named the Celastrus alatus ; he describes it as a 

 handsome shrub, and observes, that it is commonly cul- 

 tivated in the gardens of the Japonese. The young men 

 hang branches of the flowers over the doors of a house, 

 when they would signify their desire to pay addresses to 

 a young woman within *. 



* Thunberg's Travels, vol. iii, p. 84. 



