



58 _ THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
—<S 
MELIACE Dec. 
Description, &c.—This order, like the last, consists almost entirely of stove plants, and, in fact, there is 
only one species deserving of cultivation in a conservatory, and this is the Indian Lilac, or common Bead Tree 
(Melia Azedarach). It is a native of the east, being found wild in Syria; but it is of such easy cultivation in all 
climates that are sufficiently warm for it, that it appears to have become acclimatised wherever it has been intro- 
duced; and hence it has been found growing spontaneously in the Hast and West Indies, in North and South 
America, and in the South of Hurope. In the latter country, indeed, it is cultivated on a large scale for the sake 
of its seeds, which are in common use for making rosaries, for which they are admirably suited, having naturally a 
hole through them, so that they do not require to be perforated. It is from this use that the plant has taken its 
name of Bead Tree; its other popular name of the Indian Lilac alludes to its flowers bearing considerable 
resemblance to those of the common Lilac. It is also sometimes called the Pride of India, but this name more 
properly belongs to another plant, viz. Lagerstremia indica. 
CHAPTER XIX. 
—>— 
CEDRELEA Brown. 
Description, &c.—Only two greenhouse plants belong to this order, and both are natives of New Holland : 
one being a shrub with white flowers, called Flindersia australis ; and the other a tree a hundred feet high, the 
flowers of which are unknown. The latter plant is called Yellow Wood (Oaleya wanthowyla). This order contains 
the Mahogany Tree and the Satin Wood Tree; but both require the protection of a stove in Great Britain, and are 
not ornamental in their flowers. 

CHAPTER XX. 
—-— 
AMPELIDE Dec. 
Descrietion, &c.—The principal plants belonging to this order are the different kinds of Vine, none of which 
can properly be called ornamental, though one (Vitis riparia) is sweet scented. The Virginian Creeper belongs to 
this order, but it is perfectly hardy. Several of the species belonging to the genus Cissus are greenhouse plants, 
but they have inconspicuous flowers, and can scarcely be considered ornamental. 





