HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



GAL 



and pretty little flower." By way of episode, 

 we may mention that there are but two species 

 of the genus and one variety, bnt it is probable 

 that a cross might be obtained between it and 

 the allied genus Leucojum, or, indeed, other 

 genera of the same order, the great difficulty 

 being however, to have the different species in 

 flower at the same time. The precocity of the 

 Snow-drop putting it out of the question in a 

 natural manner, it would be necessary to retard 

 the latter till the blooming season of the genus 

 be selected. Natives of Great Britain. 

 Galathea ccelestis. Blue Daisy, Derivation of 

 name not given. Belongs to the natural order 

 Asteracea;. 



This is a neat green-house plant, somewhat 

 resembling the Gazania in foliage and shape of 

 flower, but having petals of a deep blue with 

 yellow disk. As it blooms profusely, and the 

 color is a rare and beautiful shade of blue, 

 which contrasts finely with the golden yellow 

 disk, it is much valued as an ingredient in 

 winter bouquets. It is a neat plant, and the 

 peculiar color (mazarine blue) is very unusual in 

 this class of plants. Propagated by cuttings. 

 Galaxia. From galaktiao, to abound in milk; re- 

 ferring to the juice. Linn. Momdelphia-Mono- 

 ijynia. Nat. Ord. Iridacea:. 



A genus of dwarf, tender bulbs from the Cape 

 of Good Hope. The flower stems are short, 

 with a terminal cluster of narrow leaves, and 

 handsome funnel-shaped flowers. Most of the 

 species are yellow, others purple. The bulbs 

 may be planted out in early spring, like the 

 Gladiolus, and given the same treatment dur- 

 ing summer. They may be left in the ground 

 during winter, if protected from frost. In- 

 creased by offsets. Introduced in 1799. 

 Galeandra. From galea, a helmet, and aner, a 

 stamen ; referring to the crested male organ on 

 the top of the column. Linn. Gynandria-Mono- 

 gynia. Nat. Ord. Orchidacea*. 



A small genus of terrestrial Orchids, with 

 pink, purple, or yellow flowers. They are from 

 Central and South America, and require the 

 same treatment as is recommended for the 

 Bletia. Introduced in 1840. 



Galium. Bedstraw, Cleavers. From gala, milk; 

 referring to the flowers of G. verum having 

 been used to curdle milk. Linn. Tetrandria- 

 Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Galiacea?. 



A genus of interesting herbs, natives of Eu- 

 rope, but extensively naturalized in the United 

 States. 0. aparine, vulgarly known as Goose- 

 Grass, has a great reputation in the eclectic 

 practice of medicine as a cure for gravel in the 

 bladder, and is considered by them invaluable 

 as a diuretic. 



Gamboge. A gum resin that is furnished by a 

 number of trees in the East Indies. It was at 

 one time chiefly obtained from Xantkochymus, 

 a native of Ceylon. See Garcinia and Nauclea. 

 Garcinia. Mangosteen. Named after Dr. Garcin, 

 an Eastern traveler, iinn. Dodecandria-Mvno- 

 gynia. Nat. Ord. Clusiacece. 



A genus of tropical trees of medium size, 

 highly esteemed for their delicious fruit and 

 for the valuable gums they furnish. The fruit 

 of G. Mangostana is one of the most delicious 

 that grows, and the tree upon which it is pro- 

 duced is one of the most graceful and beautiful 

 anywhere to be met with. It is a native of 

 Sumatra and the islands of the Eastern Archi- 

 pelago. The stem rises to the height of about 

 twenty feet ; the branches come out in regular 



GAR 



order, and give the head of the tree the form of 

 a parabola ; the leaves are about eight inches 

 long, and four broad at the middle, of a beauti- 

 ful green on the upper side, and a fine olive on 

 the under. The flower resembles that of a single 

 rose, with some dark red petals. The fruit is 

 round, about the size of an ordinary orange. 

 The shell of the fruit, which is at first green, 

 but changes to brown, marked with yellow 

 spots, has some resemblance to that of the 

 Pomegranate, but is thicker and softer, and the 

 contents are more juicy. The flavor of the pulp 

 is said to be that of the finest Grape and Straw- 

 berry united ; but those who have tasted the 

 fruit in perfection, and attempted to convey to 

 others some idea of the impression that it had 

 made on them, are not agreed as to what it re- 

 sembles. Abel says that " he and his com- 

 panions were anxious to carry with them some 

 precise expression of its flavor; but after satis- 

 fying themselves that it partook of the Pine- 

 apple and the Peach, they were obliged to con- 

 fess that it had many other equally good, but 

 utterly inexpressible flavors. " The species may 

 be grown and ripen fruit in the hot-house. 

 They will bear fruit in two years from seed. 

 Some of the species yield a gum resin, known 

 as Gamboge, though not the true sort, but it is 

 said to be nearly as good. 

 Gardener's Garters. A local name for Arundo 



Donax versicolor ; also Phalaris arundinacea. 

 Gardenia. Named in compliment to Alexander 

 Garden, M.D., of Charleston, South Carolina, a 

 correspondent of Ellis and Linnaeus. Linn. 

 Pentandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. C'mchonacea;. 



A genus of splendid green-house shrubs, re- 

 markable for the size, number, and fragrance of 

 their flowers, and the noble character of the 

 plant. G. fiorida and G. Fortunei are natives of 

 China. The former was introduced into the 

 Cape of Good Hope in 1754, where it received 

 its common name, Cape Jasmine. They are 

 usually treated as green-house plants, but if 

 kept moderately cool during winter, their sea- 

 son of rest, and planted out in spring, they will 

 flower freely during the early part of the sum- 

 mer. They may be taken up in autumn, potted, 

 and kept under the table in the green-house 

 during winter. They are readily increased by 

 cuttings made from half-ripened wood. 

 Gardoquia. Named after Gardoqui. a Spaniard, 

 who greatly promoted the publication of the 

 "Flora Peruviana." Linn. Didynamia - Angio- 

 spermia. Nat. Ord. Lamiacece. 



A genus of green-house, low-growing shrubs, 

 producing from the axils of the leaves bright 

 scarlet or pink flowers. They thrive well with 

 ordinary green-house culture. In order to make 

 neat and compact plants they should be kept 

 cut well back, or the plants will become strag- 

 gling. They are readily increased by cuttings. 

 Introduced in 1812 from Peru. 

 Garland Flower. See Hedi/cJiium. 

 Garlic. Allium sativum. This plant belongs to 

 the same genus as the Onion and the Leek. It 

 is a perennial, found growing wild in the south- 

 ern parts of Europe. It is commonly cultivated 

 in almost every country, and has been highly 

 esteemed from a very early period, not only as 

 an article of food, but as a medicine. It was 

 introduced into the English gardens in 1548. 

 Every part of the plant, but especially the root, 

 has a pungent, acrimonious taste, and a pecu- 

 liar offensive odor, that is far more penetrating 

 and diffusive than that of the Onion. So power- 



