•108 
•will be found to have many characters in common with Biittneriese {Brown in 
Flinders, 22.) ; such as, the aestivation of the calyx, the form of the petals^ the 
position of the stamens in the front of those petals, the structure of the ovary 
and seeds in many important points ; the principal difference between them 
are, in fact, the stamens being turned outwards in Biittneriese, which are also 
destitute of a disk, have hypogynous stamens, and always 2 or more ovules. 
Euphorbiacese are allied to Rhamnacese ; but the constant separation of sexes 
in the former family, their hypogynous stamens and suspended ovules, are ob- 
vious marks of distinction. Nitrariacese may be compared with Rhamnacese 
in several points. 
Geography. Found over nearly all the world, except in the arctic zone ; 
the maximum of species is said to be dispersed through the hottest parts of 
the United States, the south of Europe, the north of Africa, Persia, and India 
in the northern hemisphere, and the Cape of Good Hope and New Holland 
in the southern. Some of the genera appear to be confined to particular 
countries, as all the true Ceanothuses to North America, Phyhcas to the Cape, 
'Cryptandra and Pomaderris to New Holland. 
Properties. The berries of various species of Rhamnus are \fiolent pur- 
gatives, and have been highly spoken of in dropsy. They also yield a dye, 
vaiying in tint from yellow to green ; the ripe berries of R. catharticus, mixed 
with gum arabic and hme-water form the green colour known under the name 
of Bladder-green. The French berries of the shops (Graines d’ Avignon, Yr.J 
are the fruit of Rh. infectorius and saxatilis, and amygdalinus. The fruit of 
Zizyphus is destitute of these purgative quahties, and, on the confrary, is often 
wholesome and pleasant to eat, as in the case of the Jujube and the Lote, the 
latter of which is known to have given their name to the classical Lotophagi. 
The peduncles of Hovenia dulcis become extremely enlarged and succulent, and 
are in China a fruit in much esteem, resembhng in flavour, as it is said, a ripe 
Pear. Some species are astringent. Sageretia theezans is used for tea by the 
poorer classes in China ; an infusion of the twigs of Ceanothus americanus has 
been named as useful, on account of its astringency, to stop gonorrhoeal dis- 
charges ; antis)q)hilitic virtues are ascribed to the root of the same, and also of 
Berchemia volubilis ; and it is said, by Rumphius, that in the Moluccas the 
bark of Zizyphus Jujuba is employed as a remedy for diarrhoea.^ Brongn. See 
Boyle' s Illustrations , p. 169. 
GENERA. 
Paliurus, Tourn. 
Aspidocarpus, Neck. 
Aubletia, Lour. 
Ziz^’^phus, Tourn. 
Condalia, Cavan. 
Berchemia, Neck. 
(Enoplia, Hedw. 
Ventilago, Gaertn. 
Sageretia, Brongn. 
Karwinskia, Zucc. 
Rhamnus, L. 
Marcorella, Neck. 
Cervispina, Dill. 
Frangula, Tourn. 
Scutia, Commers. 
Retanilla, Brongn. 
Colletia, Kunth. 
Discaria, Hooker. 
Trevoa, Hooker. 
Hovenia, Thunb. 
Colubrina, Rich. 
Ceanothus, L. 
Forrestia, Rafin. 
Willemetia, Brong. 
Pomaderris, La B. 
Pomatoderris, Schult. 
Cryptandra, Sm. 
Trichocephalus, Bron. 
Tittmannia, Brongn. 
Moesslera, Rchb. 
Phylica, L. 
Soulangia, Brongn. 
Gouania, L. 
Retinaria, Gaertn. 
Crumenaria, Mart. 
Lepionurus, Bl. 
Crypteronia, Bl. 
Pennantia, Forst. 
Goupia, Aubl. 
Glossopetalum, Sch. 
Carpodetus, Forst. 
? Phaleria, Jack. (14) 
Order LXXXIII. CHAILLETIACE^. 
Chailletia:, R. Brown Cong. p. 23. (1818 ). — Chailletiace.®, DC. Prodr. 2. 57. (1825). 
Essential Character. — Sepals 5, with an incurved valvate aestivation. Petals 5, 
alternate with the sepals, and arising from the base of the calyx, usually 2-lobed. Stamens 
