228 The Loquat. 



only be found by accident by those who have not learned the secrets 

 of marine life. At low tide they may be found buried in the sands, 

 with nothing to indicate their presence but an imperfectly circular 

 line in the smooth-washed surface of the beach that only a trained 

 eye is likely at first to detect. 



If one of these sea pansies is removed from the sand and placed 

 in a dish of sea water, the creatures that form the community will 

 soon manifest life, and reveal a most beautiful structure showing 

 plainly their relationship to the coral 'insect.' 



Each individual polyp in the community will be found to pos- 

 sess eight long fringed tentacles around a narrow disk. The numer- 

 ous individuals of each community are arranged on the upper sur- 

 face of a flattened cordate fleshy structure, to the lower surface of 

 which is attached a stem like organ, useful alike as a means of 

 locomotion and for the anchorage of the tenement house in the 

 sand. 



The sea pansy is a near ally of the sea pens and the sea fans — 

 which latter are branched and resemble beautiful flowering shrubs 

 or plants. The organ-pipe coral belong to the same group of polyps 

 according to some systems of classification. A hundred years ago 

 the corals were all thought to be plants, as they closely imitated 

 almost all kinds of vegetation, but they are now regarded as true 

 animals. 



THE LOQUAT. 



The loquat, a beautiful evergreen tree native to China and 

 Japan, was first named by Joseph Hooker, Photinia eriobotrya. It 

 has received other names, like P. japonica and Eriobotrya japonica, 

 and is now generally known under the latter name, though the first 

 has priority and there seems no good reason to give it generic rank. 



It is perfectly hardy on the California coast, south of Marin 

 county, and may be grown further north if given slight protection. 



It has been incorrectly called the Japan plum, but this name has 

 been wisely discarded by California horticulturists who unite in 

 calling it by its proper name, loquat. 



It is remarkable for its refreshing fruit, which is elongated in 

 shape, about two inches in length, pale yellow in color, with a very 

 peculiar flavor, 'combining that of the tamarind and pineapple, and 

 is highly agreeable.' 



The tree is easily raised from the seed or may be grafted upon 

 its own stock or on the quince. It does not require any particular 

 soil apparently, and at maturity will bear from twenty to thirty 



