68 FAMIIIAS GARDEN FLOIFERS. 



the view i;)f securing some wood to make skewers for the 

 meat, cut a quantity of oleander boughs^ and, having' 

 stripped them of the bark, used the wood in the meat. 

 The result was that, out of twelve who ate of the roast, 

 seven died, and the rest were dangerously ill. The 

 ^loisonous principle is so subtle that its exhalations alone 

 are sufhcient to cause serious accidents, and even death, 

 to those who recline or sleep for any time under their 

 inlluence." 



The oleander, or rose-bay, is very respectably connected. 

 It is a member of the natural order of Dogbanes {Apucy- 

 naceif'), all of which have a milky juice, and more or less 

 poisonous properties. They are of considerable importance 

 to the gardener, as in this order occur the yellow-tlowered 

 AUamauda, the white-flowered jasmin-like TabcruLemon- 

 tana, the fragrant Rhyncospermum, and the glorious 

 crimson Dipladenia. 



