Statistics. 199 



Statistics of the Vegetable Kingdom, continued, 

 epiphytes, that is, growing above ground on other plants. The 

 species are the most specialized, perhaps, of any order, and they 

 are usually uncommon or rare. A number of showy species grow 

 in the United States, the best-known of which are the lady-slip- 

 pers. Our species usually inhabit bogs or deep woods. 



Over 2,000 species, in 187 genera, comprise Liliacese, or the 

 Lily family. Some of the species are tree-like. Here belong 

 the onion, asparagus, tulip, aloes, yuccas, hellebore', and many 

 choice ornamental plants. Of lilies, there are about 45 species, 

 tulips in the neighborhood of 50, and of hyacinths about 30. 



The Palm family, Palmse, includes 1.100 or more species and 

 132 genera. Many species produce edible fruits, the best-known 

 in our markets being the date and the cocoanut. 



The Gramineee or Grass family is the most important order of 

 plants. Besides all the grasses, it furnishes all the cereal grains, 

 including Indian corn and the sugar-cane. Genera about 300; 

 species more than 3,000. 



There are about 74 genera of ferns or Pilices, and in the neigh- 

 borhood of 2,400 species. Some of the species attain to the size 

 of small trees. 



