162 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



long and 2 — 3 inches wide. >S'. Roxhurghiana, a native of 

 India, lias flat leaves similar to the last, but in S. angolensis, 

 native of W. Tropical Africa, the leaves are cylindrical, and 

 about 1 inch in diameter. The leaves of these plants con- 

 tain much fibre, which is used for making ropes, and it is 

 stated that the latter produces the best of any kind of fibre 

 for deep-sea dredging lines, &c. 



Lily of the Valley (^Convallaria majalis). A native of 

 Britain, being generally found in shady places, in woods, and 

 is commonly cultivated in gardens for its pure, waxy, sweet- 

 smelling flowers. This is not the Lily of the Valley spoken 

 of by King Solomon. 



Solomon's Seal {Polygonatmn multifiorum). A plant found 

 wild in many parts of England, and is frequently culti- 

 vated in gardens. Its creeping roots or rhizomes are in great 

 repute, as they quickly remove bruises and discolorations of 

 the face resulting from blows. 



V. Asparagus Group. 



Ehizocorms, or partially gemmaecormous herbs, shrubs, or 

 trailing, or climbing ampelids. Leaves small, acerose, or 

 lanceolate elliptical. Flowers small, not showy. 



The natural habit of this family is similar to sarsaparillas, 

 in which family they are placed by some botanists. The 

 chief difference is in their leaves not being net-veined. 



Asparagus {Asparagus officinalis). A native of the sea- 

 coast in the southern counties of England. It also covers 

 large tracts of country in Poland and Russia, and other 

 parts of Europe. It is said to have been cultivated by the 

 Romans before the Christian era. It is extensively grown as 

 a spring vegetable in the vicinity of London and Paris. 

 There are several species from S. Africa and India, having 

 climbing or trailing stems, often spinose. The climbing 

 character of this group is represented in Australia by Eustre- 

 phus latifolius and Geitonoplesium cymosum, long since intro- 

 duced to this country and cultivated as greenhouse climbers. 



