(15) 



found specimens of the New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) , 

 and on one of the trellises in the rear is a vigorous plant of 

 the Cherokee rose. To the left, a little beyond the pine 

 family, is the myrtle family; prominent in this is a group 

 of the gum-trees of Australia and Tasmania {Eucalyptus) ; 

 these trees occur in large forests, and sometimes attain a 

 height of 200 to 400 feet. A large specimen, some ten or 

 twelve feet tall, of the bottle-brush tree {CalUstemon citrinus) 

 will be found here ; the red flowers are borne in long cylindric 

 clusters, much resembling a common bottle-brush, whence 

 the popular name. Farther to the left is a large plant of 

 Hydrangea hortensis; this presents a gorgeous show of blue 

 flowers early in the summer. In the corner to the right is a 

 specimen of the camphor tree (Cinnamomum Camphora) , 

 from which the camphor of commerce is derived. Opposite 

 the camphor tree is a group containing the common garden 

 camelia, and the important commercial plant, Thea sinensis, 

 from which is obtained our beverage tea; black and green 

 teas are obtained from the same plant, the difference in color 

 being due to the method of preparation ; the tea plant is ex- 

 tensively cultivated in many warm and tropical countries, 

 tea as a beverage having been used by the Chinese from time 

 immemorial ; its first introduction into Europe is said to have 

 been by the Dutch in 16 10. Further along to the left, beyond 

 the group of Australian acacias, of which there are many 

 specimens, are several plants of the fig tree (Ficus Carica) , 

 from which the edible figs are secured; the leaves drop off 

 in winter, and so for a short time the plants are placed else- 

 where. A little beyond these to the left may be found a group 

 of oleanders; a poisonous principle occurs in the flowers and 

 leaves of these plants, and especially in the bark. A plant 

 of great economic importance in the olive family is the olive 

 tree ( Olea europaea) , of which a small specimen may be found 

 near the oleanders ; this plant was originally from the Medi- 

 terranean region and the Orient, but has now been largely 

 introduced into cultivation in other warm countries; in the 

 middle of the eighteenth century it was first introduced into 



