138 THE PLANT WORLD 



to remove most of them. Their present beauty, however, satisfies and 

 pleases me. The entire mass of fresh foliage is densely studded with 

 bright coral-red flower trusses, and the humming-birds are always around 

 them. Not so beautiful in flower, but sweeter and of much finer growth, 

 is the evergreen Japanese honeysuckle, of which I grow several varieties. 

 The foliage shows a deep glossy green color, and the white flowers, 

 which change to a dingy yellow when fading, are very fragrant. 



While strolling through the garden we inhale a delicate clover-like 

 odor. Only after searching long and carefully we find the insignificant 

 small flowers which exhale this characteristic perfume among the dense 

 foliage of Elaeagnus reflexa, a strong grower, clambering high into the 

 trees by means of reflexed hooks, reminding somewhat of thorns with 

 blunt points. This Japanese evergreen, like so many others from the 

 same country, is well adapted to the soil and climate of Florida. Another 

 species of the same genus, Elaeagnus fnacrophylla, with fine lustrous 

 foliage, silvery- white underneath, is the most ornamental of all the 

 species. Elaeagnus simonii is a very rampant grower, being just now an 

 object of great beauty. The young fully-developed leaves are very dense 

 and of a glossy silvery hue. When the setting sun strikes them the 

 picture is so charmingly beautiful that no pen or pencil can do it full 

 justice. It has the inclination to climb, forming dense tangled masses of 

 foliage and branches. 



At no time of the year are the different species of coco palms more 

 beautiful than in early spring. Although inhabitants of the American 

 tropics, most of the species are perfectly hard}^ in Florida. In rapid suc- 

 cession they push up their large pinnate leaves. The different species 

 are well marked in foliage, flowers, and fruit, each specimen being a perfect 

 picture of beauty. All the larger specimens are now encircled with large, 

 solid and hard club-like flower-spathes — not unlike base-ball clubs, only 

 pointed at the end. They stand upright at first, but finally bend 

 downward. After having attained their proper size, these clubs burst 

 open and immense flower-scapes, yellowish in most species, yellow and 

 purple in others, hang downward. They are shedding their pollen in such 

 profuse abundance that the entire ground underneath these palms is cov- 

 ered with it. Honey-bees are swarming among these flower-scapes. The 

 foliage of all these palms has a glaucous hue, several of them looking 

 decidedly blue, contrasting beautifully with the deep glossy green of the 

 magnolia and wild olive. Other interesting palms in flower now are the 

 South European Chaviaerops humilis, the oriental Phoenix reclinata and 

 P. spinosa, and the native saw palmetto. 



The most magnificent flower-show, however, is yet to be seen — the 

 grandest and most dazzling floral display I ever beheld. You may get a 

 glimpse of it from the veranda of the house if you look in the direction 



