SOME BOTANIC GARDENS ABROAD. 165 



{Cinnamomun zeylaiiicum) , the first and the hist mentioned be- 

 ing extensively cultivated in Ceylon for commercial j3urposes. 



The conservatory and the fern house contain a large collec- 

 tion of exotic ornamental plants. The orchid house is rich in 

 specimens, some of which can always be found in flower. Stan- 

 hopea, FhalaenopsiSj Laelia, and Cattleya are especially well rc})- 

 resented. ( "lose by in the flower garden is the Aristolocliia per- 

 gola, formed by a numl>©r of climbers of this genus. The Aris- 

 tolochias are known as Fly-catchers, on account of the ])eculiar 

 flowers acting as insect traps. A fairly good collection of other 

 insectivorous plants is found in the garden, including species of 

 Nepenthes and the Dischidia rajfiesiana, a snuill clind)ing plant 

 from Java, with leaves resembling bladders. 



In the center of the flower garden is the so-called Octagon 

 Conservatory, with a number of shade plants. !Near this shade 

 house there is quite a display of ornamental plants from Cannas 

 and Caladiums to palms, such as ChrysaHdocarpus lutescens 

 from Mauritius, and Oncostpernias. Farther on along the drive 

 we come to the orchard in Avhich many tropical fruits are grown. 

 We have there the common Avocado pear (Persea gratissmm) 

 and the Chicle or Sapodilla (Achras sapota), of Mexico, the 

 Cashew nut (Anacardium ocridenfale) from South America, 

 the Pomegranate, the Loquat, Alango, and others. Kambutan 

 (NepheJlum lappaceiim), AverrJioa Caraynhola, Sandorinim In- 

 dicum or Santol, Chri/sohaJanus Icaco or Coca-pluiu, and JMan- 

 gosteen grow here and fruit. 



Comino- to the River Drive we follow the winding stream 

 and in several places notice the giant bamboo {Dendrocalamus 

 (jiganteus), w^liich at Peradeniya reaches a greater height and 

 size than in any other place. One of the curious trees growing 

 here is C ouroupita guianonsis or the Cannon Ball tree shown in 

 one of our illustrations. It derives its name from the large 

 woody fruits borne on the trunk. One of the sights of the garden 

 is the Palmyra Avenue formed l)y large specimens of Barassus 

 flabelUformis. The Palmyra palm is very important to the na- 

 tives in the dry region of Xorthern Ceylon, where it is used in 



