THE TEA FAMILY. ;^^<^ 



being at present a lost species. And although yearly it is searched for 

 by those who would cover themselves with glory as did the rediscoverers of 

 shortia, it still remains unresponsive to their efforts and enthusiasm. From 

 the loblolly bay it is distinguished by its deciduous leaves which appear to 

 grow less thickly along the branches ; its flowers which are almost sessile. 

 or occur on thick pedicels hardly an eighth of an inch long; and the dense 

 velvety pubescence which for a long time clings to the undersides of the 

 young leaves. 



Concerning its history we know that in 1765 it was discovered along the 

 Altamaha River in Georgia by John Bartram. It there grew with Pinckneya 

 pubens. Its common name was bestowed on it by John Bartram and his 

 father in honour of Benjamin Franklin. It was visited later by Marshall and 

 other botanists. But since 1790 no one has seen it growing in a wild state. 

 At Fairmount Park in Philadelphia there are still a few representatives, and 

 the plant from which the accompanying sketch was taken is now in cultiva- 

 tion at Biltmore. 



THE ST. JOHN'S=WORT FAMILY. 



Hypericaccce, 



In our species shrubs^ or herbs with simple^ opposite, rarely whorlcd 

 and entire leaves, black dotted; atid which bear regular, terminal, or 

 axillary flowers with nmneroiis stamens usually in sets 0/ three or pre 

 inserted on the receptacle ; the flowers being mostly yellow and luith 

 their parts in fours or fives. 



MOUNTAIN ST. J0HN'5=W0RT. 



Hypericum graveolens. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



St.Johns-ivort. Pale yellow. Scenthws. Virginia and Xorth Carolina, J uly, Auf^uit. 



Flcnvei's : large; growing on pedicels in both lateral and terminal cymes. Ci/rx: 

 with five lanceolate, short sepals. Corolla : with five oblong petals usually 

 rounded at the apices. Stamens : numerous. Styles: three, long, slender, 

 separate. Capsule: ovoid, three-celled, with many seeds. Z<-</rr.f ; oj)|)ositc ; 

 sessile or clasping, oblong-ovate, blunt, at the apex; entire; thin; smooth ; black 

 dotted. Stem: one to three feet high ; very leafy; smooth. 



This high mountain plant with its fluffy flowers and often very yellow 

 looking leaves presents us with one type of the great family, St. John's- 



