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AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF 



Acacia. — A genus of sliriibby bushes and handsome trees, according 

 to the species or part of the world that is their natural habitat ; 

 with us most of them are treated as ornamental green-house plants. 

 In their native climes many species are of the greatest value com- 

 mercially, in the production of durable wood, gum, or oils. As 

 cultivated liere they carry a mass of delicate foliage, and their white 

 or golden spikes or bunches of fragrant blossom make them addi- 

 tionally attractive, particularly as the}^ generally produce their 

 lovely blossoms during the early spring months, hailiug the return 

 of that beautiful season in presenting an array of incomparable 

 beauty, and affording a refreshing gale of perfume. The species 

 possessing scented attractions include the following : — 



A. Fariiesiana, with delicately cut foliage and clusters of golden 

 globular flowers, that emit a fresh floral fragrance resembling the 

 Violet. This species is largely cultivated in the flower farms border- 

 ing the Mediterranean Sea for the production of the famed oil of 

 cassia ; Acacia clecurrens known as Black Wattle in Victoria and Tas- 

 mania, the Silver Wattle (.4. clealhata) and the Broad-leaf Wattle 

 (A. 2^ycnant}ia). A. hastidata, with a scent like Hawthorn; A. 

 hiflora, smelling like the Cocoa-nut ; A. umhrosa, A. mophi/Ua, A. 

 pendula, A. arjnata, A. imjjlexa, A. puhescens, and A. conftrta. 



The hardy Acacia has been made the emblem of domestic felicity, 

 and an anonymous writer thus lauds its beauties : — 



' Our rocks are rough, but smiling there 

 The Acacia waves her yellow hair ; 

 Lovely and sweet, nor loved the less 

 For flowering in a wilderness. 

 Then come, thy Arab maid will be 

 The loved and lone Acacia tree.' 



Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow or Milfoil). — A common plant in pas- 

 tures, hedgerows, and wastes, with a peculiarly scented leaf, and 

 flower generally of a white or pinkish tinge of colour. In some 

 parts of the country it used to be largely employed in bridal 

 wreaths, and has been thus described in flower lore under the 

 style of Venus-tree : — 



' Thou pretty nest of Venus tree, 



Thy true name it is Yarrow, 

 Now Avho my bosom friend must be. 



Pray, tell thou me to-morrow.' 



A. moscliata, an Alpine variety, possesses a musk-like odour. 

 Achimenes tubiflora. — A species of a popular gesneraceous family, 

 producing clusters of tubular flowers, pale yellow in colour, and 

 delicately scented. Native of Central America. 



