492 GARDEN PLANTS. PAST II. 



Melodinus. 



M. monogynus. An extensively climbing shrub, with orna- 

 mental, bright, dark-green, lanceolate leaves ; flowers not large, 

 star-formed, like those of a Jasmine, pure-white and very fra- 

 grant ; bears a fruit of the size and form of a moderate-sized 

 apple, said to be eatable and agreeable, 



Rauwolfia. 



R. canescens. A small erect shrub about two feet high ; bears 

 small, insignificant, whitish flowers, not at all ornamental except 

 for the small pea-sized berries it is always bearing of different 

 colours, according to their state of ripeness, green, bright-red, 

 and black. 



Ophioxylon. 



0. serpentinum. A very common small shrub, about two feet 

 high, producing its foliage in crowded whorls on the summit of 

 the stems; leaves narrow, lanceolate, smooth, shining green, 

 about five inches long ; bears nearly always its compact small 

 corymbs of numerous small pure- white flowers on delicate coral- 

 red footstalks. Sir W. Jones says of it : " Few shrubs in the 

 world are more elegant, especially when the vivid carmine of 

 the perianth is contrasted not only with the milk-white corolla, 

 but with the rich green berries which at the same time 

 embellish the fascicles." This perhaps is higher praise than 

 most would be willing to accord it. Easily propagated by 

 division or by seed. 



Thevetia. 



T. nereifolia Zurd Kunel. So called from the great resem- 

 blance its foliage bears to that of the Oleander ; a handsome 

 small spreading tree, from eight to ten feet high ; native of 

 South America ; constantly in blossom with numerous large, 

 thimble-formed, bright-yellow flowers; bears in abundance 

 large almond-like nuts, from which it is easily propagated. 



Cerbera. 

 C. fruticosa. -A large spreading shrub, bearing large, hand- 



