JONES ON THE VEGETATION OF THE BERMUDAS. 263 



years ago, going to see as a curiosity the only oleander tree then 

 known in the Bermudas. It grew on the estate of Mr. Burch, 

 near the parish church of Warwick. There is a curious idea 

 prevalent among the islanders, that water left standing beneath 

 an oleander tree is poisonous to poultry drinking it, and 

 also that crab grass which generally grows luxuriantly under its 

 shade, is poisonous to cattle, an effect certainly not applicable 

 in all cases, as we have allowed a horse to graze at will beneath 

 these trees without any bad results. The oleander is now ex- 

 tensively used for hedging about cultivated ground to keep off" 

 the violence of the winter gales from the crops, and as it grows 

 from cuttings very quickly to a good height, and from the flex- 

 ible nature of its branches is never broken by the wind, it 

 proves an excellent screen. About the middle of March it puts 

 forth its lovely blossoms in vast profusion, and fields and road- 

 sides present a glorious floral scene. The oleander has one 

 great drawback, however, in the great length to which its roots 

 extend, encroaching sadly upon the land it shelters. This we 

 think might be prevented by trenching at about three feet from 

 the stem. The flexible branches are used extensively for hoop- 

 ing up barrels in which potatoes are exported. There are three 

 varieties ; the common or single rose coloured, the double rose, 

 and the white. 

 Stephanotis. floribunda, Bot, Beg, Hab. S. America. 



ASCLEPIADACE^. 



AsCLEPiAS CURASSAVICA, L. <^ Silkwccd." ** Ipecacuanha." 

 Hab. Originally a S. American form, this plant has become a 

 weed in all tropical countries. It is very common throughout 

 the Bermudas, its leaves forming the only food of the caterpillar 

 of Danais archippus. It is in blossom nearly every month of 

 the year. 



Hoy A CARNOSA, G, Don. Hab. Asia. 



Orbea iviaculosa, G. Don, Hab. C. G. H. 



GENTIANACE^. 

 Erythr^a ramosissima, Bers. <*Rice Plant." Hab. Europe. 



