CHAPTER XX 



^alm0 anti Bamboos 



Origin of the names— Different species — Hardiness of 

 Bamboos — Biblical references. 



I JOIN these two families together, for though they have 

 no botanical relationship, they are always associated 

 together when writers speak of tropical scenery, and 

 they are the only plants in our gardens which in any 

 way recall the tropics to those who have seen anything 

 of tropical countries. But I wish to speak chiefly 

 of those which can be called hardy ; they constitute 

 a very small portion of the two families, but they 

 are beautiful objects in any garden; they are easily 

 obtained, and when once established are most easy of 

 cultivation; yet it is a most unusual thing to see 

 a good collection of them. 



It is only in recent years that either palms or 

 bamboos have had a place in English gardens, and 

 their exotic character and modern introduction are 

 well shown in their [names. Many exotic plants 



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