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tree (Olea europaea), of which a small specimen will be found 
near the oleanders; this plant was originally from the Med- 
iterranean 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 
California, at San Diego, it is said, and is now largely 
cultivated in southern California. On one of the columns 
near the olive is a fine plant of Bougainvillaea, a native of 
Brazil; the bracts which surround the small flowers are bright 
magenta colored; when in full bloom the plant makes a 
gorgeous show. On one of the trellises back of the group 
of the amaryllis family is a plant of the yellow jessamine 
(Gelsemium sempervirens) of the south; it sends out its pretty 
flowers usually in February, and they persist for several 
weeks. 
flouse No.14. The general arrangement of this house was 
mentioned when describing house No. 12. Entering from 
house No. 15, to the left will be found plants of the rosemary ; 
this enjoys a reputation of long standing, for it was held in 
high esteem by the ancient Greeks and Romans, being regard- 
ed by them as the emblem of fidelity. A little further to the 
left is the parachute flower (Ceropegia Sanderson), from 
Natal. On the right are many interesting members of the 
thistle family. On the other side of the house will be found 
Aucuba japonica, from Japan, and Corokia Cotoneaster, from 
New Zealand, both members of the dogwood family, but not 
much resembling our common flowering dogwood. Other 
plants of interest will also be found here. 
Flouse No. 15. This house is mainly devoted to the orchids, 
the side benches and rafters being entirely given over to this 
family. On the central bench is located a collection of small 
palms and cycads. 
The orchid family is a widely distributed one, occurring in 
all tropical regions, but finding its greatest development in 
the Old World in India and the Malayan region, while in the 
New World its greatest numbers occur in Brazil and other 
parts of northern South America. In temperate regions rela- 
