26 PLANTS OF BERMUDA. 



In Brnpaccfc the fruit is superior, consisting of a one-celled, one- 

 seeded, hard stone, surrounded with a fleshy covering. The fruits 

 represented in this sub-order are the Apricot (Armenlca vulgaris) 

 and the Almond fAiniffjdalus coinmunisj, both of which are, however, 

 rarely cultivated. The Peach fAinygdalns ijemica) and its ally the 

 Nectarine wore formerly very i^lentiful, but their cultivation has 

 been entirely neglected for some years owing to the ravages of an 

 insect i^est belonging to a genus of weevil (curculio), which work 

 great havoc to fruit and grain throughout Europe and America. 



Attention is now being again directed to the growth of this fruit 

 by ]Mr. Hart and other gentlemen, and it is to be hoped that by 

 the introduction of new varieties and diligent cultivation that the 

 difficulties will be overcome. 



The West Indian Laurel (Frunns oecidentalisj , with evergreen 

 laurel-like leaves, and the American Cherry <P. VirgimanaJ , have 

 also been introduced, but the order furnishes no indigenous or 

 naturalized plants in Bermuda. 



The white blossoms of the double-flowered Spiraeas {S. Japonica 

 nnd S. pninifuUa) are conspicuous in gardens and shrubberies. 



Nat: Ord : 23 Myrtacece. 



Evergreen shrubs or trees, with simple, entire, opposite or alter- 

 nate leaves, wliich have veins running around their margins, and 

 are usually dotted with minute trans^oarent cells containing aro- 

 matic oil ; calyx four to five parted, valvate ; petals four to five 

 imbricated, usually white ; stamens numerous, inserted into calyx ; 

 ovary inferior, compound, four to five celled ; style and stigma 

 simple ; fruit a fleshy berry, usually with numerous seeds. 

 _ Several trees and shrubs of this order are to be met with in cul- 

 tivation. The Guava {Fsidiain pomijh-uin) does not appear to thrive 

 well ; but the so-called Cherries {Eiujcnia xujni and E. Brazil iensis) 

 grow exceedingly well. The fruit is about the size of the Cherry, 

 obtusely five-angled, of a delicate v/axy red colour and agreeable 

 taste. The Common Myrtle {Myrtus commanis) is found in gardens,* 

 and the Allspice [Pimeuta ralyaris) in shrubberies. The Pose Apple 

 {Jambosa ruJyaria) and the Akee {BUghia Sapida) have also been 

 introduced locally. 



Several attempts have been made to introduce the Australian 

 Gum trees {Juiralypti), but there appears to be a difficulty in raising 

 the young plants from seed. A few vigorous trees are to be found 

 in the Islands, but if planted more generallv in the peatv margins 

 of marshes, they would perform the two -fold office of diuiining the 

 land and rendering those districts more healthy. 



I. EUGEXIA. 



^/irnbs ivith opjjusitc, entire, dotted leaves ; fruit a one- eel led, o)ie-i,eeded 



berry. 



1. E. Monlieola, T).C. An evergreen shrub, four to five feet liigh 

 branches erect, woody ; leaves leathery, smooth, oval, blunt, two 

 to three niches long, one and a quarter to one and three-quarter 



