CHAP. V. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ETC. 577 



Opuntia. 



INDIAN FIG, OR PRICKLY CACTUS. 



There are several species of this genus of singular plants, 

 which produce their large oval-formed, thick, flat leaves, one 

 from the edge of the other, and are usually covered with star-like 

 arrangements of sharp bristles. Most bear large golden-yellow 

 flowers of metallic hue, but upon the whole are not objects 

 sufficently agreeable to be allowed a place in the garden. 



Pereskia. 



1. P, Bleo BARBADOES GOOSEBERRY. A large spreading 

 shrubby plant, with cylindrical stems covered with long needle- 

 like spines, and, unlike most plants of the order, bearing abun- 

 dance of leaves. Flowers very pretty, resembling small single 

 pink roses ; nearly always in blossom. 



2. P. aculeata. In general appearance much resembling the 

 foregoing, but a smaller plant. Dr. Voigt states that this species 

 blossoms in Bombay, but not here, and in England very seldom. 

 I have not seen it in blossom myself, but the native dealer 

 from whom I obtained specimens at Hooghly assured me that 

 it blossomed in the Cold weather. Flowers described as white. 



GKOSSULAKIACE^S. 

 Ribes. 



R. rubrum THE FLOWERING EIBES. This shrub, so beautiful 

 an ornament in our English gardens, is only mentioned here to 

 intimate the improbability of its ever being brought to thrive 

 in this country. 



ESCALLONIACE^. 

 Escallonia. 



E. macrantha. A beautiful rich-green shrub, bearing bright- 

 pink fragrant flowers. This very choice plant succeeds with 

 difficulty even in the elevated region of Bangalore. There is 

 little probability of its living in the lower plains of India. 



2 P 



