03 OCTANDRIA. 



petals in the centre of the flower somewhat resemble 

 a small roll of the richest purple-coloured ribbon. 



CROSS-LEAVED HEATH, Erica tetralix. 

 This is one of the four species indigenous to Great 

 Britain, and is easily distinguished from the others by- 

 its flowers growing in pendulous clusters on the tops 

 of the stalks, and by its leaves, which grow by fours 

 on the stem, and forma kind of cross ; they are edged 

 with stiff hairs, each of which has a small globule at 

 its extremity. Ireland produces one species ; but of 

 this numerous and beautiful genus the greater part are 

 natives of the Cape of Good Hope. Not one is known 

 to be indigenous to the vast continent of America; 

 nor, as far as we know, are any produced in China or 

 New Holland. 



The heaths, in general, are not very fragrant, but 

 the Erica odorarosea has a scent similar to the 'Atar 

 of Roses, and the Erica tenui flora has the odour of 

 a carnation. 



BALSAM OF GILEAD AMYRIS, Amyris 

 Gikadensis. According to Bruce, this tree grows to 

 the height of fourteen feet; its branches are nume- 

 rous; the wood is white, soft, and covered with a 

 smooth ash-coloured bark ; the leaves are small and 

 few, commonly consisting of one pair of pinnae with 

 an odd one at the top, and of a bright green colour. 

 The Corolla consists of four petals; the fruit is of the 

 drupaceous kind, roundish, opening by four valves,, 

 and containing a smooth nut. 



