(137) 



amaryllis family is represented by a number of species of 

 the spider lily {Hymenocallis), bearing large white flowers, 

 the commonest being Hymenocallis expansa from the sandy 

 coasts of the West Indies; large plants of the genus Crinum, 

 some of which have white flowers and some red or purple, 

 maybe seen here, and the maguey (Furcraea) of the West 

 Indies (a spiny-leaved relative of the century plant, native 

 of the West Indies, and used there for hedges); this name 

 maguey is also applied in parts of the West Indies to 

 species of Agave, which will be found in house 6. 



Numerous representatives of the dracaena family, many 

 of which are used for ornamental planting in the tropics, 

 are in this house. Larger plants of this family will be 

 found in house 13 adjoining. The collection of the genus 

 Sansevieria is also located here; many species yield a 

 tough and valuable fiber from the leaves; they are com- 

 monly referred to as bowstring-hemp. 



The interesting screw-pines, natives of the Old World 

 tropics, are illustrated by several species, the leaves of 

 which are used in the manufacture of mats, hats and 

 baskets. These plants are not at all related to pine trees, 

 the latter part of the name referring to the slight resem- 

 blance the leaves bear to those of pineapple plants, which 

 are commonly called pines in the tropics, while the remain- 

 der of the name was suggested by the spiral arrangement 

 of the leaves. Larger specimens will be found in house 

 13 adjoining. 



The tacca family, Taccaceae, is here represented in two 

 genera, Tacca cristata and Schizocapsa plantaginea. This 

 family is closely related to the amaryllis family. 



The arrow-root family is illustrated by the arrow-root 

 {Maranta arundinacea), native of South America, but 

 widely cultivated in the West Indies, its roots furnishing 

 the commercial product; Calathea comprises a large number 

 of tropical American plants noteworthy for their fine 

 foliage; and there are other genera represented. 



House No. jj. This house contains largely temperate 



