HERBS, TUBERS AND BULBS. 319 



cuttings of the young shoots, planted in an ordinary greenhouse, or 

 under a frame during the summer months. 



Curcubitacece (Gourd or Cucumber Family). A family of succu- 

 lent, climbing or trailing plants, furnished with solitary lateral tendrils. 

 They are mostly annuals, and many of the genera yield large and 

 delicious fruit, such as the Melons ; others are cultivated for ornament, 

 such as the small Gourds and the Bryonias ; the litter are greenhouse 

 perennials with tuberous roots. Propagated by seed, layers, and the 

 tuberous rooted species by division of the tubers when in a dormant 

 state. ; 



Cycadacece (Cycas Family). A family of small, Palm-like plants^ 

 closely related to the conifers, the male flowers being in cones, and the 

 female consisting only of ovules on the edges of what may be termed 

 abnormal leaves. There are nine genera, all tropical or sub-tropical. 

 The Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) and the Coontie (Zamia intcgrifolia), of 

 Florida, are familiar representatives of this family. Propagated by seed, 

 but mostly by suckers or sprouts that spring up about the stems of old 

 plants. 



Cyperacece (Sedge Family). A large family of low, grass-like; 

 mostly perennial plants, with minute flowers in spikes or heads. Only 

 a few of the genera are of horticultural value, and among these Carex, 

 Cyperus, Papyrus and Seisms are the best known. The Cyperm escu- 

 lentus is the well-known Chuf a, the small tubers of which are quite sweet 

 and edible, sometimes cultivated for feeding swine and sheep. The 

 Variegated Rush ( Cyperus allernifolius variegatus) is a handsome peren- 

 nial greenhouse plant. Papyrus anliquorum is supposed to be the Bul- 

 rush of the Nile, from which paper was first made. It is in common 

 cultivation in greenhouses. All the genera require an abundance of 

 moisture. Propagated by division of the roots or tubers, and by seeds. 



Dioscoreacefg (Yam Family). A family of twining herbs and 

 shrubs, mostly natives of tropical climates, and the larger proportion 

 producing tubers, used as food the same as the common potato. Dioscorca 

 saliva, is the common yam of the West Indies, and D. batatas is the 

 Chinese yam or potato, introduced into this country about thirty years 

 ago, and highly extolled as a tuber likely to supersede the common 

 potato ; but while the tubers are of excellent quality, they penetrate the 

 earth so deeply that it costs more to dig them than they are worth. 

 This species is now cultivated as a hardy climbing ornamental vine, 

 its thick leaves making it an excellent climber, while its dull-looking 

 flowers are so fragrant that it is offered by some as the " Cinnamon 

 vine." All readily propagated by dividing the roots or tubers, and by 

 cuttings of the stems. Some of the species produce small aerial tubers 

 in the axils of the leaves, and these are utilized in their propagation. 



Droseracece (Sundew Family). A small family of low annual and 

 perennial bog-herbs, with flowers consisting of from four to eight 

 persistent sepals, and a similar number of petals. Leaves variable, 



