THE ECONOMIC HOUSE 53 
belong. It has great value in improving sterile lands, and is widely 
cultivated in all frostless countries. Its wood takes a high polish 
and does not warp or split. It is used wherever strength, elasticity, 
and durability are required—especially in boat building. 
Dillenia indica, a native of India and the Malayan region, belongs to 
the Dilleniaceae, a family with no local relatives. The tree, a large 
one, bears an edible fruit about the size of an apple. The natives 
of India use it in making curries, jellies, and cooling drinks. The wood 
is hard, and used for gun-stocks, and the like. The species has been 
introduced into California and Florida. 
Diplandenia Brearleyana, a lovely flowering vine from tropical America, 
belongs to the Apocynaceae, or Dogbane family. f 
Dcembeya natalensis, a small, quick-growing tree from Natal, belongs to 
the Sterculiaceae, a family with no local representatives. The tree 
is cultivated in both Florida and California for its large, fragrant 
white flowers. Four other species of Dombeya are to be found in the 
Conservatory—two in this room and two in the Palm House. 
Duranta Plumieri, or GOLDEN DEwprop, a native of the West Indies 
and nearby tropical countries, belongs to the Verbenaceae, the family to 
which vervain and verbena belong. The golden dewdrop is a small 
tree, bearing edible golden yellow fruit. 
Elaecdendron australe, or OLIVE-Woop, a native of Australia, is a large: 
tree that belongs to the Celastraceae, the family to which our waahoo 
and our climbing bittersweet belong. The tree is prized for its orna- 
mental, holly-like foliage, and its hard white wood, which is adapted 
for fancy and cabinet work. 
Entada scandens, or ScimiITAR Pops, a native of the West Indies and 
many tropical lands, belongs to the Leguminosae, or Pulse family. 
The vine produces seed pods that are 4 to 8 feet in length. The seeds 
themselves are two inches in diameter. They are split to form snuff 
and toy boxes, and are used in making many other trinkets. 
Eriodendron anfractuosum (Ceiba Caesearia, or Xylon pentandrum), 
or SILK CoTTON TREE, or CEIBA, or KAPOK TREE, belongs to the Bom- 
bacaceae, a family with no local representatives. This majestic tree 
is found in all tropical lands and is a characteristic tree of tropical 
countries. Its appearance is so imposing that the untutored negroes 
call it the God Tree, and cannot be induced to cut it down. It is 
valued as a shade tree. Its soft wood is used in interior construc- 
tion. The cotton-like material of its seed pods is the kapok of com- 
merce, and is widely used in filling mattresses, pillows, and life-buoys. 
Eriobotrya japonica, or Loquat, is a small evergreen tree that belongs 
to the Rosaceae, the family to which our rose, hawthorn, apple, pear, 
and cherry belong. The loquat is a native of Japan, where more than 
46 different varieties of it are known, and where more than 20,000,000 
pounds of the fruit are grown annually. The loquat has been intro- 
duced into our southern states, and will grow as far north as Phila- 
delphia, if given some winter protection. The pear-shaped fruits 
have an agreeable flavor, and are eaten raw, or made into pies, jams, 
