322 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



white Jasmine is said to be India, but it is now wild through- 

 out many parts of Southern Europe, and is well known in 

 this country for forming arbours, its SAveet-scented flowers 

 causing it to be a great favourite. Oil of Jasmine is obtained 

 by soaking cotton in oil of Ben, and placing flowers of Jas- 

 mine amongst it, and after lying for some time the oil is 

 pressed out having the odour of Jasmine. 



Jasminum Samhac, J. azonmm^ as well as several simple- 

 leaved species from India, and two from Australia, are orna- 

 mental creepers in the hothouses of this country, while J. nudi- 

 jlorum and J. revolutum are hardy wall shrubs, the yellow 

 flowers of the former being conspicaous in early spring. 



The Snowdrop Tree Family. 



(Styrace^.) 



Small trees or shrubs, with alternate, simple deciduous 

 leaves. Flowers white, axillary solitary or several together, 

 generally pendulous on long footstalks furnished with small 

 bracts. Stamens irregular in number, sometimes partially 

 united. Fruit drupaceous, or dry and winged. 



About 115 species constitute this family, which are widely 

 spread, chiefly within the tropics of India and America. 



Snowdrop Tree (Halesia tetrapterd). A wide-spreading 

 branching tree, attaining the height of from 20 to 30 feet, 

 native of North America. It produces a profusion of pen- 

 dulous white flowers like snowdrops, which render it a highly 

 ornamental tree. 



Storax {Styrax officinale). A small tree, or sometimes 

 shrub, native of Levantine countries. By incisions the bark 

 yields the gum called gum storax, which is well known as a 

 perfume, and is used as incense in Eoman Catholic churches. 

 It grows abundantly in Palestine, and is considered by some 

 commentators to be the Poplar rod of Jacob, but its nature 

 of growth is such that its branches can scarcely be called rods. 



Benzoin (Styrax benzoin). A tree, native of Sumatra and 

 other Malayan Islands. Gum benzoin is obtained by incisions 



