40 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



CAS 



can compare in taste, simplicity, and beauty with 

 these roadsides. C. nictitans, Wild Sensitive 

 Plant, another native species, is a very beautiful 

 hardy annual, common on our roadsides, grow- 

 ing about six inches high, and in appearance al- 

 most identical with the Sensitive Plant, KtmOMt 

 ?udica, and well worth cultivating for its beauti- 

 ul foliage. C. chamcecrista, commonly known 

 as Partridge Pea, is a very pretty species, com- 

 mon in the Southern States. 

 Castanea. Chestnut. From a town of that name 

 inThessaly. Linn. Moncecia-PoiyandrM. Nat. 

 Ord. Corylacece. 



The Chestnut Tree is well known because of 

 the nuts, which are universally esteemed. There 

 are two species indigenous to this country. The 

 common Chestnut is G. vesca, found through- 

 out the States. C. pumila is a low-growing tree or 

 shrub, common southward, and produces a 

 smaller nut, not flattened, known as Chinqua- 

 pin. The Spanish Chestnut, a variety of C. ues- 

 co, differing from pur native Chestnut mainly in 

 the size of the fruit, is a native of Asia Minor, 

 introduced at a very early date. This tree 

 grows to an immense size. A tree near Queens, 

 L. I., planted nearly one hundred years ago, has 

 a trunk almost twelve feet in circumference, and 

 is about fifty feet high, with immense spreading 

 branches. It is one of the noblest shade trees 

 to be found in this country. A species of late 

 introduction from Japan promises to become 

 one of our most useful, as well as ornament- 

 al trees, or, more properly, tall shrubs. The 

 fruit of this species was received in New York a 

 few years since in a consignment of goods from 

 Japan. The merchant receiving the same, see- 

 ing the nuts were of such excellent quality, fully 

 equal to those of our native species, and as large 



of them, and with remarkable success. In five 

 years they commenced to fruit, and are now 

 bearing profusely. The shrub is of an ornament- 

 al character, suitable for the lawn. The fruit or 

 nuts are borne within two feet of the ground. 

 Those who have had a favorable opportunity to 

 judge of its character predict its early adoption 

 as a hedge plant, for which purpose it seems 

 well adapted. In addition to its value as an or- 

 namental hedge, it would undoubtedly prove 

 valuable for its yield of nuts. 



Castor Oil Bean. See Ricinus. 



Casuarina. Beef-wood. Supposed to be named 

 from the resemblance the leaves bear to the fea- 

 thers of the Cassowary. Linn. Moncecia-Monan- 

 dria. Nat. Ord. Casurinacea;. 



A genus of very curious trees, constituting of 

 themselves a distinct family. They have very 

 much the appearance of gigantic Horse-tails 

 (Equisetacea;), being trees with thread-like, joint- 

 ed, furrowed branches, without leaves. The 

 flowers are not of a showy character. These 

 plants are met most abundantly in tropical 

 Australia, and occasionally in the Indian Islands, 

 New Caledonia, etc. In Australia, from their 

 somber appearance, they are planted in ceme- 

 teries. The timber furnished by these trees is 

 Valuable for its extreme hardness. From its red 

 color, it is called in the islands Beef-wood. The 

 several species are highly esteemed for their 

 uses in the mechanic and useful arts. A few of 

 them have been introduced in green-houses for 

 their singular appearance. 



Catalpa. Indian Bean. The aboriginal name. 

 Linn. DiandriorMonogynia. Nat. Ord. Eiynoni- 



CAT 



The Catalpa is a well-known deciduous tree, 

 native of the Southern States, and one of pur 

 most beautiful shade trees, of medium size, 

 bright yellowish green, heart-shaped leaves, and 

 remarkable for its numerous loose panicles of 

 white flowers, spotted with orange and purple. 

 The trees, when young, make a rapid growth, 

 and are particularly valuable for the lawn, being 

 entirely exempt from the ravages of insects and 

 caterpillars. C. bif/nonioides is our only species. 

 The Indian Catalpa, C. Himalayensis, a native of 

 Asia, is a remarkable shrub, growing from six to 

 eight feet high, with a diameter of from eight to 

 ten feet. "The crown is like a roof of leaves, 

 laid with the precision of pointed slate, and the 

 play of light on its golden-green head is beauti- 

 ful." The objection to the introduction of this 

 beautiful shrub is the fear of its not being hardy. 

 There are several specimens on the park around 

 Garden City Hotel, L. I., that seem perfectly 

 hardy, having been planted a number of years, 

 without being injured in the least by cold. 

 There are several other species, all of an orna- 

 mental character. The Catalpa will thrive in al- 

 most any soil or situation, and does quite well 

 in a poor soil, which makes it more hardy. 

 Propagated by seeds or from root cuttings. 



Catananche. From katanangke, a strong incen- 

 tive ; in reference to an ancient custom among 

 the Greek women of using it in love potions. 

 Linn. Syngenesia-jEqualis. Nat. Ord. Astera- 

 cece. 



A small genus of annuals and hardy herbace- 

 ous perennials. B. ccendea is a perennial spe- 

 cies, with slender stalks, long, narrow leaves, 

 and large heads of sky-blue flowers. It is a na- 

 tive of the south of Europe. From this species 

 several varieties have been produced with white 

 and double flowers, all very desirable for the 

 open border. They are increased by division 

 or from seeds. C. lutea, an annual species with 

 yellow flowers, is a native of Candia. 



Cat-brier. See Smihu. 



Catchfly. See Silene. 



Caterpillars. See Scorpiurus. 



Cat-Mint. See Nepeta. 



Catnip. See Nepeta. 



Cat-Tail. One of the popular names of Pearl 

 Millet. 



Cat-Tail Flag. See Typha. 



Cat's Tail Grass. One of the common names of 

 the genus Phleum, Timothy or Herd's Grass. 



Cattleya. Named after Mr. Cattley, a distin- 

 guished patron of botany. Linn. Gynandria- 

 Jfonandria. Nat. Ord. Orchidacecu. 



What the Hose and Carnation are among gar- 

 den plants, the Cattleya is among Orchids, pre- 

 eminently beautiful. Not a species but pos- 

 sesses claims of the strongest nature on the cul- 

 turist's attention, either for its delicate loveliness 

 or the rich and vivid coloring of its large and 

 handsome flowers. They are natives of the tem- 

 perate parts of South America, and in cultiva- 

 tion are found to succeed in a lower temperature 

 than is necessary for the majority of plants of 

 the same order. They will grow either on cork, 

 billets of wood, or in pots of sphagnum, care- 

 fully drained and moderately watered at all 

 times; indeed, the damp atmosphere of the 

 house is nearly sufficient for them through the 

 winter ; and if about 50 degrees of heat is stead- 

 ily maintained through this period, with an in- 

 crease of about 10 in summer, the plants will 

 be found to grow vigorously, and consequently 

 flower in perfection. The colors of the flowers 



