NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 367 



overruns uncultivated land, and forms the natural under- 

 wood of the islands. 



Cactus cochinillifer. — Cochineal Plant, or Indian Fig. 

 In gardens. 



Cerea crenata. — Life, or Chandelier Plant. Common 

 everywhere. 



Arundo bambos. — Bamboo Cane. In lofty clumps. 



Arundo fax. — Cultivated Reed. 



Saccharum officinarium. — Common Sugar Cane. 



Yucca glorioso. — " Spanish Bayonet," with magnificent, 

 clusters of white bell-shaped flowers. 



Agave americana. — Great American Aloe. Blossoms 

 freely. 



Aloe barbadensis. — Barbadoes Aloe. The bitter juice 

 of this Aloe is not infrequently prepared for exportation. 



Asclepias curassavica. — Curascoa Swallow Wort, or 

 Bastard Ipecechuana. The favourite food of the cater- 

 pillar of Danais archippus. , 



Argemone mexicana. — Mexican argemone, or Prickly 

 Yellow Poppy. 



The Bermudians dye silk, ribbons, &c, with the blossoms 

 of this plant. 



Sisyrinchium bermudiana. — Iris-leaved Sisyrinchium, or 

 Bermudiana. A pretty little flower ; grows wild among the 

 rocks and sage bushes. 



Verbena stachytarpheta. — West Indian Vervain. 



Casalpinia pulcherrima. — Barbadoes Flower Fence, com- 

 mon in gardens. 



Hedera helx. — Common Ivy. Recently introduced ; 

 grows freely on northern aspects. 



Convolvulus nil. — Azure Convolvulus. A beautiful 

 annual, growing to the height of eight or ten feet, and 

 spreading over the top of a peach, or other tree in the 

 form of an umbrella. Seeds abundantlv. 



