BUXUS, the genus of Omits whose species afford the vnlunble hard wood called Box. It is remarkable botanically as being the most northern arborescent plant of the natural order Eaphorbiarar, all the other trees of which are confined to mill or tropical climates. Its essential character is to have both the male and female flowers upon the same individual ; a 3- or 4-parted calyx ; in the males n 2-lobed /wale and 4 stamens placed round the rudiment of an ovary ; in the females 3 small scales, 3 styles, 3 blunt stigmas, and a 3-horned 3-celled 6-seeded capsular fruit The only two certain species are B. semperrirens and B. Balearica. The former, or common Box, forms a large evergreen bush or small tree, common all over the south of Europe, from Spain to Constantinople, and reaching even so far as the north of Persia. In this country it is only found on warm chalky hills. Many varieties are known In gardens, the most remarkable of which is the Dwarf-Box, so much used for the edgings of walks. Between this and the arborescent form the difference is so great, that one wonders how they can be both the same species, and Miller and others have even considered them distinct. But De Caudolle states that the wild plant in France is very variable in size, rising in some places to the height of 15 or 20 feet, and in rocky localities not exceeding 3 feet. It is from the arborescent
Bu.rus semperrirens thtt box-wood is obtained. For the turner, for mathematical instruments, and especially for the uses of the wood engraver, it is Invaluable. The French employ it for coat-buttons, "The value of the box-wood sent from Spain to Pari3 is reported to amount to about 10,000 franca a year. In 1815, the box-trees cut down on Box-Hill, near Dorking in Surrey, produced upwards of 10,0001." (Maceulloch, 'Dictionary of Commerce. ) Great quantities are imported from Turkey, and of fine quality. The hare; have been employed, medicinally, as a tonic, a substitute for Peruvian bark.
Buses Balearica, the Majorca Box, is a handsomer plant than the other, with broader leaves, and a more rapid growth ; but it is much more impatient of cold. Plants of it however live in the neighbour hood of London without protection. It is found wild in the neigh bourhood of Lluch in Majorca, on the hill:, at the height of 1500 feet ; and it also occurs abundantly on Mount Galatzo, where it is mingled with the palmetto, but not in great masses. We find nothing in books concerning the quality of its wood ; but there is reason to suppose that a part at least of the Spanish and Turkey box-wood is furnished by this species.