﻿somewhat downy footstalks, nearly egg-shaped, very entire, with a 

 broad shallow notch at the summit, of a shining dark green above, 

 concave, and paler underneath. Stipulas none. Flowers in the 

 axils of the leaves, in small tufts, of a pale yellow, or cream-colour. 

 Capsule globose, crowned with the 3 permanent styles. 



It is not always easy, says Sir J. E. Smith, to draw the line of 

 distinction between the calyx and petals, which moreover vary oc- 

 casionally in number. In the accompanying plate, fig. 1. our drafts- 

 man has represented one of the sepals, as well as the two petals, a 

 mistake which was not observed till the whole impression of the 

 plate was struck off. 



There is a variety of this shrub with a narrower leaf, Buxus an- 

 ijustifolia of Ray’s Syn. first observed by Mr. Doody, on Box-hill. 



The leaves of the Box are deleterious to all animals that feed 

 upon them, except the Porcupine. Camels are said to be fond of 

 them, but if allowed to eat them they perish. They are reputed to 

 possess sudorific powers, and, made into a tincture, they formed a 

 once celebrated specific for intermittent fevers. The remedy was 

 kept secret by a German empiric until purchased by Joseph II. for 

 1500 florins, since when it has fallen into disuse. Olivier de 

 Serres recommends the branches and leaves of this shrub, as by 

 far the best manure for the grape, not only because it is very com- 

 mon in the South of France, but because there is no plant that, by 

 its decomposition, affords such a great quantity of vegetable mould. 

 The wood of the Box-tree is of more value than any other part, it 

 is of a yellowish colour, close-grained, very hard and smooth, and 

 is so heavy that it will sink in water. It is generally sold by weight, 

 fetching a high price. Not being apt to warp or split, it is well 

 adapted for the use of the turner. Combs, mathematical instru- 

 ments, knife-handles, tops, screws, button-moulds, and weavers’ 

 shuttles are made of it. 



There is no wood, perhaps, equal lo the English Box-wood for wood engrav- 

 ings, which, since the modern improvements in the art, and the plan of cutting 

 on the end of the block instead of the lengthway of the grain, is the most im- 

 portant purpose to which it is applied. Isolated Box trees may be occasionally 

 observed 15 or 20 feet high, and as many inches in girt. Single trees of such 

 dimensions may be seen in different parts of England. 



There are two old Box trees now (June 27. 1835) growing between the Danby 

 Gateway and the New Library in the Oxford Botanic Garden, the largest of 

 which is 21 feet high, and its branches extend over a space of giound 18 feet in 

 diameter; the trunk measures 1 foot 11 inches in girt one foot from the ground, 

 and 1 foot 10 inches in girt at four feet from the ground, where it divides into 

 ttvo principal branches, one of which girts I foot 8 inches, and the other 1 foot 

 3 inches. On the Surrey hills and other districts in which t lie Box tree prevails, 

 they attain to a still larger size. 



The Box-tree is often used (with other evergreens) for the internal decoration 

 of Churches at Christmas ; and the custom still prevails at Oxford of decorating 

 the inteiior of the Churches with sprigs of this shrub at Easter. Wordsworth 

 relates, that in the North of England it is customary at funerals to provide sprigs 

 of Box, which are thrown by each of the attendant mourners into the grave of 

 the deceased. The Box bears clipping remarkably well, and on that account it 

 is a favouiite for hedges, and formal figures. A dwaif variety is universally 

 cultivated for borders to flower beds. 



Puccinia Buxi, beautifully figured in Dr. GrevU-le’s Scottish Cryptogamic 

 Flora , t. 17, is sometimes found on the leaves of the Box. Mr. Eow. Jenner 

 observed it abundantly on the under surface of the leaves of Box-tiecs in the 

 gaidens at Nuntham Courtney, near Oxford, in 1833. 



