(129) 
The nettle family follows, represented by such plants as 
the odd Procris; Pilea, in several species, including P. 
microphylla, the artillery plant; the Gyrupia poison-tree, 
a native of Australia, one of the most vicious of the sting- 
ing nettles—at fruiting time the dull purple of its fruit 
makes it quite attractive; and the two-lobed Boehmeria, 
from Japan. The flat-stemmed Muhlenbeckia, native of 
the Solomon Islands, belongs to the knotweed family. 
As one proceeds, many species of figs will be found, in- 
cluding the common rubber plant of our homes. Further 
on is the laurel family, one of the interesting plants be- 
longing here being the alligator pear, the fruit of which is 
edible and much used as a salad, and otherwise, in the 
tropics. Near this is the custard-apple family, including 
the cherimoyer, an edible fruit, native of tropical America. 
Nearby are the senna and mimosa families, represented by 
numerous individuals. To the senna family belongs the 
poinciana, commonly grown in Florida and tropical coun- 
tries on account of its decorative red flowers. To the 
mimosa family belong the sensitive plants, of which there 
are two here which show this characteristic noticeably, 
Mimosa pudica and Mimosa Spegazzinit. 
Near the west end of house 3 is a collection of the spurge 
family. Here will be found the genus Codiaeum in many 
colored forms, usually known as garden crotons. Other 
genera represented are Croton, Phyllanthus, Xylophylla, 
Antidesmia, and Acalypha. Here, also, are two plants of 
the curious West Indian ivy, belonging to the genus 
Marcgravia. On the south bench of this house is a large 
collection of begonias. Entering house 2, the north side 
of which we have already visited, we find more begonia 
plants on the south bench, and nearby the meadow- 
beauty family, largely represented in tropical regions, to 
which belongs our native meadow-beauty, Rhexia vir- 
ginica. Other families following are the vervain, acan- 
thus, potato, madder and thistle, the last two near the east 
door. 
