SOME BOTANIC GARDENS ABROAD. 



87 



hate or war almost invariably proved fatal. Vivid descriptions 

 of animals having been killed bv the mere presence of this tree 

 in the neighborhood, or that a drop of latex falling to the ground 

 is enough to destroy all animal or vegetable life within some dis- 

 tance are naturally myths only, but still quite interesting to read 

 about. 



Figure 17. Waringin tree (Ficus benjam'tnca) at Buitenzorg. 



If we turn to our right from the main avenue we have only 

 a short distance to the block of citrus trees, where most of the 

 species of this group are to be met with. ]^ext we come to the 

 sections of epiphytic orchids and ferns. Large specimens of 

 Asplenium nidus and the Staghorn ferns Plat y cerium, are cling- 

 ing to the branches of the trees, Lygodiums climb along the 

 trunks, Adiantums cover the soil, and Polypodiums seem uncer- 

 tain whether to grow on the ground or to take refuge in the trees. 



Splendid Pandans from the Malayan Archipelago form 

 one section, and then we reach the main palm collection of the 

 garden. Here we notice the Oncosperma horn da, covered with 



