winter time these lose their leaves and are kept for that period in 

 one of the cellars . A large plant of Hydrangea hortensis makes 

 a gorgeous show here early in the summer. The orange family, 

 Rutaceae, forms a large group a little further on, being com- 

 posed mainly of orange and lemon trees. 



The buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae, has a curious representa- 

 tive in Colletia cruciata, from Chili. The broad triangular bodies 

 along the stems are branches, homologous with the branches of 

 Ruscus, to which allusion was made in describing the plants in 

 house no. 12. At the blooming period little white flowers will 

 be found growing on these organs. The leaves are very small 

 and are to be looked for on the young growths. So different 

 are the young growths from the mature portions of the plant 

 that one might readily be forgiven for mistaking them for parts 

 of different plants, if they were not found growing on the same 

 individual. 



The corner opposite to the orange group is devoted to a num- 

 ber of families, among them the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, 

 the laurel family, Lauraceae, which includes a large specimen of 

 Cinnamomum Camphora, the tree from which the commercial 

 camphor is obtained, the plum family, Drupaceae, the holly family, 

 Ilicaceae, the dogwood family, Cornaceae, represented by several 

 large specimens of Ancuba japonica, and, on the trellises in the 

 rear, the morning-glory family, Convolvulaceae, and the passion- 

 flower family, Passifloraceae. 



On the cdlumn to the left is a plant of Passiflora edulis, of 

 tropical America. The fruit is edible, of a light blue color, and 

 somewhat resembles an egg in shape. It is said to have an 

 agreeable and cooling taste. Near this column is a collection of 

 the genus The a, which belongs to the tea family, Theaceae. The 

 commonest species in cultivation is Thea japonica, the camellia 

 of gardens, in several double- flowered forms, ranging from white 

 to red. The most important economic member is Thea sinensis, 

 from which tea is obtained. This plant is extensively cultivated 

 in many warm and tropical countries. Tea, as a beverage, has 

 been used by the Chinese from time immemorial. Its first intro- 

 duction into Europe is said to have been by the Dutch in 16 10. 



