56 



Natural Order, Laurineae. 



Persea Gratissima. Gaert. (alligator or avocado pear. ) A 

 handsome, well-grown tree of considerable height and sturdy 

 growth, originally brought from the West Indies. L/eaves a 

 shining green, dense foliage. Flowers whitish. April. It 

 fruits well, but is uncertain in some seasons. The fruit comes 

 in from August to October, and is a favourite among the resi- 

 dents. It is remarkable for the large, round kernal in its 

 drupe. It is common in fields as well as in shrubberies. 



L/aurus Nobilis, I^inn. (sweet bay tree. ) Although prop- 

 erly a garden tree or shrub, j^et it has in some places escaped 

 and flourished Its laurel-like leaves emit a pleasant prussic 

 acid smell when pressed or rubbed. 



Natural Order, Euphorbiaceae. 



Poinsettia Pulcherrima. Graham. (blazing star; burning 

 bush.) A handsome shrub nine to twelve feet high, with 

 almost leafless branches, not unlike the Sumach of the North, 

 terminating in clusters of greenish-red and yellow flowers, 

 surrounded by a whorl of large leaf-like bracts of the brightest 

 scarlet, from six to ten inches in length. It flowers from Nov- 

 ember through the winter, and is one of the chief floral attrac- 

 tions of the islands, for when in full bloom it fairly dazzles the 

 eye with its splendour. I have not met with it as yet as an 

 escape although plentiful in gardens. 



Phyllanthus Nirurt. L/inn. (phyllanthus. ) A plant rather 

 shrubby at base, about one foot high, stem smooth with leafy 

 branchlets, bearing alternate flowers. Leaves oblong, blunt, 

 entire, pale below, one third of an inch long. Flowers solitary 

 or in pairs, green, hidden beneath the leaves, which close at 

 sunset. Common. Annual. Autumn months. 



Jatropha Multifida. L/inn. (coral plant. ) A shrub four to 

 six feet with almost bare branches, terminating in upright 

 clusters of handsome scarlet flowers, borne on coral-like stalks. 

 The leaves are divided almost to the base into from seven to 

 nine finger-like slender lance-shaped divisions or segments. 

 A garden plant and not known as an escape. May to June. 



