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AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF 



Billbergia. — A Bromeliad found growing on trees in Central America, 

 capable of living without contact with the earth, they are hung on 

 balconies in Brazilian gardens, where the beauty and fragrance of 

 their flowers is much prized. 



Birdsfoot Trefoil. See Lotus. 



Blephilia. — A genus of the Mint family ; both B. Mrsuta and B. ciliata 



bear the habit and appearance of our garden mints. 

 Bletia hyacinthina. See Orchids. 

 Blue Bells. See Scilla nutans. 



Blumea. — Asiatic weeds. B. lacera bears yellow flowers smelling 

 like turpentine ; B. 'balsamifera, when bruised, smells strongly of 

 camphor ; and B. aromatica has a sweet aromatic smell. 



Bokhara clover. See Melilotus. 



Boldoa fragrans. — A small Chilian shrub with evergreen foliage and 

 flowers that are highly fragrant. 



Bonnetia paniculata. — A Peruvian shrub or tree, with leaves which, 

 when bruised, emit a dainty aromatic smell. 



Boronia. — A genus of shrubby trees from Australia, cultivated here as 

 greenhouse plants ; although the flowers are mostly insignificant, 

 the whole group have peculiarly scented attractions deposited in 

 the leaves. The flowers of B. megastigma are fragrant, and impreg- 

 nate the air for a great distance with a ravishing perfume of 

 lemon and rose ; so much so, that it is largely grown in South 

 Europe for the production of its essences that are extracted from 

 the flowers. B. pinnata and B. semdata are popular kinds in our 

 greenhouses with fragrant foliage. 



Boswellia serrata. — An Indian tree furnishing the sweet-smelling gum 

 known as olihanum, which is supposed to be the Frankincense of the 

 ancients, and still used for its grateful perfume in Roman Catholic 

 Churches. Every part gives out a lemon-like fragrance. 



Boussingaultia baselloides. — A vigorous tropical climbing plant 

 bearing racemes of small white Hawthorn-scented flowers ; propa- 

 gated from tubers, which grow like green potatoes at the joints of 

 the leaves, and are said to be edible. 



Bouvardia. — This lovely winter flowering plant was introduced to 

 cultivation by Baron Humboldt, who found the original form during 

 his travels in Mexico ; it used to be treated as a stove plant, but 

 hardier varieties have been raised that will stand the cooler 

 atmosphere of an ordinary greenhouse. 



The flowers carry a fine and delicate colour, ranging from pure 

 white to bright scarlet ; there is also a yellow variety, and most of 

 them possess an exquisite Jasmine odour, greatly appreciated in 

 bouquets and decorations generally. .: ■ 



