AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES. 253 



as scarce as, that of the foregoing. The very numerous small 

 pith-rays are here widely separated and sharply defined. 



Fam. Celastrine^. 



The woods of this family are characterized in Japan by a white 

 colour, an even, fine grain, and great density. The pores are 

 extraordinarily small and fine, and the numberless pith-rays also. 

 These valuable properties, which resemble those of the box, make 

 it to be regretted that the bush-like, imperfect development of all 

 the varieties prevent any extensive use of the wood. 



112. Evonynms Sieboldiamis, BL, Jap. Mayumi, is called Pai-oh- 

 cha by the Chinese. It is said to be employed in wood-carving. 

 (A very fine specimen of this variety, of even white colour, is shown 

 in the collection at Kew Gardens.) 



113. Celastriis artiatlata^ Thunb., Jap. Tsuru-mume-modoki. 



Fam. Ilicine^e. 



Franchet and Savatier's " Enumeratio Plantarum " gives no fewer 

 than thirteen species of this evergreen genus of shrubs and low 

 trees. They are naturally, for the most part, confined to the South, 

 and are favourite ornamental trees. They are known for their 

 fine-grained, even, hard wood, of a light greyish white colour. The 

 pith-rays are numerous and show a darker colour than the woody 

 fibre. Longitudinal sections are sprinkled peculiarly with dark 

 spots on a light ground. The wood is used for turning a variety of 

 small articles, in making combs and chopsticks, and is very well 

 adapted to these purposes. The noteworthy kinds are : 



114. Ilex crenata, Thunb., Jap. Inu-tsuge, the commonest holly 

 of Japan. It is found from the Riukiu to Yezo, a bush sometimes 

 6 m. high, but very often much less. Its small-leaved foliage 

 resembles that of the box, whence it gets the name, Inu-tsuge, or 

 dog-box. 



115. /. latifolia^ Thunb., Jap. Torayo, is found along the coast 

 northwards in the vicinity of Tokio. Here it is frequently found as 

 a tree from 6 to 10 m. high, growing in gardens and temple groves. 

 It is distinguished by its thick, leathery, large, smooth-edged leaves 

 of shining green, and its thick ramification, which render it a highly 

 ornamental shrub. 



116. /. integra, Thunb., Jap. Mochi-no-ki and Tori-mochi is closely 

 related to the preceding in character and distribution. The cross 

 section shows year-rings and dark pith-rays, and the wide length- 

 wise section a dotting of distinct dark spots. 



Fam. Meliace^. 



Japan has four members of this family, viz : 



117. Melia japonica, Don., Jap. Sendan. 



