140 CHAPTER XIX. 



shrub that the captive Hebrews hung their harps 

 when they sat down and wept by the rivers of Babylon 

 (Psalm cxxxvii.). 



The Periwinkle ( Vinca) is closely related to the 

 Oleander, as the most unbotanical person might infer 

 from the mere aspect of the flower. A poet praises 

 it as 



" L'aimable Pervenche aux petales d'azur." 



I do not assert that the " sky-blue Periwinkle " is 

 dangerous : Anne Pratt does not include it in her 

 book on poisonous plants : still one is inclined to 

 mistrust any near relation to the Oleander. A poet 

 with more knowledge and less sentiment would hardly 

 use the epithet " amiable.'' In Italy and the south of 

 France the Periwinkle is called the " Flower of 

 Death," and to include it in a bouquet would be of 

 evil omen. 



Two beautiful climbing plants, Allamanda and 

 Mandevillea (the " Sweet-scented Chili Jasmin," as 

 gardeners absurdly call it), belong to this order. This 

 latter plant, according to the gardeners' books, is 

 " very vigorous and easily cultivated " in this district ; 

 it ought, therefore, to be much commoner than it is. 

 The fruit is remarkable. It is joined at the base and 

 apex, forming a loop over a foot long.* 



Near to the Oleander and Periwinkles come the 

 Asclepiads: so near that they have sometimes been 

 included in the same order. Here again we find 

 dangerous properties. Many of these plants have a 



* Mandevillea suaveolens is from Buenos Ayres, and named after 

 Sir John Mandeville, who introduced it into England. As it does not 

 flower till June, it is not well adapted for Eiviera gardens. T. H. 



