16 



ant ever J' where. This species known as 

 (Melocactas Communis) frequents stone gate- 

 ways and pillars, and bears small crimson 

 flowers. The nigrht bloomuig Cereus (0. 

 Grandiflorus) sends long rope-like stems up 

 tree trunks, and unfolds at night, perhaps 

 the most magniftcent flower in the vegetable 

 kingdom, eight inches in diameter, waxlike 

 and fragrant, closing before dayl>reak. (C. 

 Triangularis) and (C. Coceinellifera) on which 

 latter the cochineal insects feed are com- 

 mon, and the whole Cactus family with their 

 peculiar growth are always objects of attrac- 

 tion. 



Ihe Pricklxf Pkar^ (Opuntia Vulgaris) with 

 its fleshy prickly leaves is closely allied to 

 the Cactus. Its flowers are yellow, and are 

 'Succeeded by an edible crimson fruit, which 

 must however beft>re eating be divested of 

 its spiny and thorny coat. The fruit some- 

 what leserables the fig in taste. 



Wild Fennel (Fa>niculum Vulgare) very 

 fetid in smell, is common everywhere along 

 roadsides. Its feathery foliage closely 

 resembles the cultivated species, throwing 

 up an umbelliferous head of flowers, yellow 

 in colour. It is easily mistaken for thi^ true 

 Fennel, but is too rank for use. 



(Rachicallis Rupestris)— A low spiny shrub, 

 from two to three feet high, is found on the 

 barren hills of the south shore. Its flowers 

 are yellow and insignificant. 



Bedsiraw (Galium Hypocarpium)— A trail- 

 ing plant, with flowers, on slender jointed 

 stalks, yellow in colour, and leaves four in a 

 whorl. It prefers barren grounds. Another 

 species (G. Palustre) with white flowers, is 

 found in Pembroke Marsh. 



Aster (botanical name undefined) does not 



