170 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



parts of Asia. Its fruit consists of a number of ovaries, co- 

 hering in a firm head, and terminated by a tuft of small 

 leaves. 



The pine-apple appears to have been known in England 

 in the time of Charles II., who is recorded as having at a 

 royal dinner-party first cut up one, but it is not certain 

 whether it was grown in this country or imported. It is 

 recorded as having been introduced to this country in 1690, 

 and there is evidence of its being cultivated soon afterwards, 

 and many varieties are now grown in hothouses. 



Of late years large quantities have been imported from 

 the West Indies, chiefly from the Bahamas, and it is not un- 

 common to hear the cry of " Pine-apple a penny a slice" 

 in towns, but they are inferior to those grown in hothouses. 

 The name pine-apple is given on account of the fruit re- 

 sembling the cones of the Pine or Fir-tree. In India, 

 Burmah, and other parts, the tough fibre of the leaves is 

 largely used in the manufacture of textile fabrics. It par- 

 takes of the nature of flax, and may be spun very fine. 



The Wild Pine of Jamaica (^Bromelia Pinguin). This has 

 long stifiF leaves, with strong spines, forming when growing 

 close together an impenetrable barrier. They contain a great 

 quantity of fibre useful for rope, or paper making. 



American Moss (Tillandsia usneoides). A small epiphyte, 

 native of tropical and subtropical America, growing in pro- 

 fusion on the Cypress trees in the regions of the Missis- 

 sippi. In Jamaica it is called " Old Man's Beard." It has 

 slender leaves, 4 — 6 inches long, which after being subjected 

 to some peculiar process it is used as a substitute for horse- 

 hair, and is imported to this country. 



Dasylirion acrotrichum. A native of Mexico, having a 

 palmid stem 2 or more feet high, terminated by a tuft of 

 rigid linear leaves 2 — 3 feet long, from the centre of which 

 the flower -stem is produced 15 feet in height. The leaves 

 have spiny margins, and contain much fibre. 



Many fine plants belonging to such genera as Billhergia^ 

 Tillandsia^ Vriesia, Fuya, DycTcia, Fourretia^ &c., have long 



