(^5) 



found specimens of the New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) , 

 and on one of the trellises in the rear is a vigorous plant of 

 the Cherokee rose. To the left, a little beyond the pine 

 family, is the myrtle family; prominent in this is a group 

 of the gum-trees of Australia and Tasmania {Eucalyptus) ; 

 these trees occur in large forests, and sometimes attain a 

 height of 200 to 400 feet. A large specimen, some ten or 

 twelve feet tall, of the bottle-brush tree (CalUstemon citrinus) 

 will be found here ; the red flowers are borne in long cylindric 

 clusters, much resembling a common bottle-brush, whence 

 the popular name. Farther to the left is a large plant of 

 Hydrangea hortensis; this presents a gorgeous show of blue 

 flowers early in the summer. In the corner to the right is a 

 specimen of the camphor tree (Cinnamomum Camphora), 

 from which the camphor of commerce is derived. Opposite 

 the camphor tree is a group containing the common garden 

 camelia, and the important commercial plant, Thea sinensis, 

 from which is obtained our beverage tea; black and green 

 teas are obtained from the same plant, the difference in color 

 being due to the method of preparation ; the tea plant is ex- 

 tensively cultivated in many warm and tropical countries, 

 tea as a beverage having been used by the Chinese from time 

 immemorial ; its first introduction into Europe is said to have 

 been by the Dutch in 1 6 1 o. Further along to the left, beyond 

 the group of Australian acacias, of which there are many 

 specimens, are several plants of the fig tree {Ficus Carica) , 

 from which the edible figs are secured; the leaves drop off 

 in winter, and so for a short time the plants are placed else- 

 where. A little beyond these to the left may be found a group 

 of oleanders; a poisonous principle occurs in the flowers and 

 leaves of these plants, and especially in the bark. A plant 

 of great economic importance in the olive family is the olive 

 tree ( Olea europaea ) , of which a small specimen may be found 

 near the oleanders ; this plant was originally from the Medi- 

 terranean region and the Orient, but has now been largely 

 introduced into cultivation in other warm countries; in the 

 middle of the eighteenth century it was first introduced into 



