gradually gives way until they are of a smooth and shining green. The
flowers are borne in woolly racemose corymbs, and are white succeeded by
greenish-brown berries as large as marbles.

Other species of less interest are P. varidosa, P. salicifolia, P.
salvaefolia, P. Bollwylleriana, and P. Amygdaliformis. They are all of
free growth, and the readiest culture, and being perfectly hardy are
well worthy of a much larger share of attention than they have
heretofore received.


RHAMNUS.

RHAMNUS ALATERNUS.--Mediterranean region, 1629. This is an evergreen
shrub, with lanceolate shining leaves of a dark glossy-green colour, and
pretty flowers produced from March till June. There are several
well-marked varieties, one with golden and another with silvery leaves,
and named respectively, R. Alaternus foliis aureis, and R. Alaternus
foliis argenteus.

R. ALPINUS.--Europe, 1752. This is a neat-growing species, with greenish
flowers and black fruit.

R. CATHARTICUS, Common Buckthorn, is a native, thorny species, with
ovate and stalked leaves, and small, thickly clustered greenish flowers,
succeeded by black berries about the size of peas.

R. FRANGULA.--The Berry-bearing Alder. Europe and Britain. A more erect
shrub than the former, and destitute of spines. The leaves too are
larger, and the fruit of a dark purple colour when ripe. More common in