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amaryllis family is represented by a number of species of 
the spider lily (Hymenocallis), bearing large white flowers, 
the commonest being Hymenocallis expansa from the sandy 
coasts of the West Indies; large plants of the genus Crinum, 
some of which have white flowers and some red or purple, 
may be seen here, and the maguey (Furcraea) of the West 
Indies (a spiny-leaved relative of the century plant, native 
of the West Indies, and used there for hedges); this name 
maguey is also applied in parts of the West Indies to 
species of Agave, which will be found in house 6. 
Numerous representatives of the dracaena family, many 
of which are used for ornamental planting in the tropics, 
are in this house. Larger plants of this family will be 
found in house 13 adjoining. The collection of the genus 
Sansevieria is also located here; many species yield a 
tough and valuable fiber from the leaves; they are com- 
monly referred to as bowstring-hemp. 
The interesting screw-pines, natives of the Old World 
tropics, are illustrated by several species, the leaves of 
which are used in the manufacture of mats, hats and 
baskets. These plants are not at all related to pine trees, 
the latter part of the name referring to the slight resem- 
blance the leaves bear to those of pineapple plants, which 
are commonly called pines in the tropics, while the remain- 
der of the name was suggested by the spiral arrangement 
of the leaves. Larger specimens will be found in house 
13 adjoining. 
The tacca family, Taccaceae, is here represented in two 
genera, Tacca cristata and Schizocapsa plantaginea. This 
family is closely related to the amaryllis family. 
The arrow-root family is illustrated by the arrow-root 
(Maranta arundinacea), native of South America, but 
widely cultivated in the West Indies, its roots furnishing 
the commercial product; Calathea comprises a large number 
of tropical American plants noteworthy for their fine 
foliage; and there are other genera represented. 
House No. 13. This house contains largely temperate 
