634 



BOTANY. 



Lysiloma ScMcu, a large Cuban tree, yields a hard and very durable 

 timber, highly valued for ship-building and for other purposes. 



Many species of Acacia and Mimosa are in cultivation in gardens and 

 conservatories. 



Mimosa pudica, from South America, is interesting on account of its 

 extreme sensitiveness to a touch or jar. On this account it is commonly 

 known as the Sensitive Plant. Its leaves expand in the light and con- 

 tract in darkness, and in the proper temperature close at once upon 



Fig. 488. 



Fig. 488.— Expanded compound leaf of Mimosa pudica. 

 Fig 489.— Closed leaf of the same. 



being touched or jarred, opening again, however, in a few minutes 

 (Figs. 488-9). 



Order Connaraceee. — Trees and shrubs of the tropics, one of which, 

 Connarus Lambertii of Guiana, furnishes the beautiful Zebra-wood. 



595.— Cohort XXVH. Sapindales. Shrubs and trees, 

 -with usually compound leaves. Mowers often zygomorphic 

 and diclinous ; ovary superior ; seeds usually without endo- 

 sperm. 



Order Moringese.— Contains three Old World trees, of doubtful 

 affinity. 



Order Coriariese.— Shrubs of one genus and three to five species, 

 found in the Mediterranean region, the Himalayas, Japan, New Zea- 

 land, and South America. Their alBnities are very obscure.' 



Order Anaoardiacese.— The Cashew Family. Trees and shrubs, 

 with gummy or milky-resinous juice, often poisonous ; fruit usually a 

 drupe. Species about 450, chiefly found in the tropics. The common 



