Buxus

(büks'üs.) Agenus of plants, O. Euphorbiacex, one species of which is the well-known Box-tree of our gardens. They are shrubs or small troos, with opposite, entire, evergreen leaves, their flowers being produced in clusters from the angles of the leaves. The fruit is three-celled, containing two shining black seeds in each cell, and splitting open when ripe. The Common or Evergreen Box-tree, B. sempervirens, is a native of both Europe and Asia; it varies from 3 to 30ft. in height, and is only a few inches high when artificially dwarfed. Its chief characteristics are exce ive hardne , great weight, evenne and closene of grain, light color, and susceptibility of a fine polish qualities which render it so valuable to the wood-engraver, the turner, the mathematical and musical instrument makers, and others. The finest quality, and the best suited for the engraver, comes from Ode a and Smyrna, being grown in the vicinity of the Black Sea. [s. 126]