in botany, a genus of the monocotyledon tetrandra class. The calyx of the male consists of three leaves; and the corolla has two petals: The calyx of the female has four leaves; the petals are three; it has three stigmas; and the capsule has three cells containing two seeds. There is but one species, viz. the sempervirens, or box-tree, a native of Britain. A decoction

of the leaves and wood has been recommended as a powerful sudorific; but is not now used by practitioners. The wood is of a hard close texture, and is greatly used by mechanics for tools of various kinds.