160 , NIGHT-SCENTED PLANTS. 



of the same species that we are now speaking; such as, 1'or 

 instance, the little Polygalia, (P. vulgaris,} which we find of 

 white, lilac, purple, and blue of various shades, from the 

 ight to the very dark. 



ESTHER. 



It is a singular fact,* that the cruciform plants are almost 

 entirely wanting under the tropics, except in the higher 

 regions, which are much elevated above the level of the sea. 



MRS. F. 



In talking of the colors of Cruciferse, we did not allude to 

 the dull, dirty white, and lilac hue which exists among the 

 night-scented flowers of this family, such as the night-scented 

 Stock (Matihiola tristis] and Rocket, (Hesperis tristis,} both 

 of which expand in the evening, and shed a sweet perfume 

 during the night. 



ESTHER. 



But most flowers of this color, have the same smell, and 

 the same mode of flowering, such as Pelargonium and Gladio- 

 lus tristis. 



Here is a plant which is likely to become of some impor- 

 tance, if its cultivation succeeds in Ireland. 



HENRIETTA. 



What is it? 



MRS. F. 



The New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax^) which, unlike 

 other flax-bearing plants, produces the flax from the fibres 

 of its leaves, instead of from the stalk. It grows chiefly in 

 moist and marshy soils, and attains from five to seven feet in 

 height. In New Zealand, the plant is held sacred by the 

 natives; but probably only from its domestic utility, as it is 

 not employed in any of their ceremonies. The New Zeal- 



* Observed by Adanson. 



