THE BAY HOUSE 37 
This species is closely related to the Thyime Wood mentioned inthe 
book of Revelation. 
Cereus. The cereus is a genus of the Cactus family. This collection 
includes representatives of 14 species, all of which bear large showy 
flowers. Some species produce fruits that are eaten by the natives of 
the arid regions where they grow. The so-called “night-blooming 
cereus’ is not a true cereus. 
Cotyledon gibbiflora (Echeveria gibbiflora), a native of Mexico, belongs 
to the Crassulaceae, the family to which hen-and-chickens belongs. 
The species is grown for its flowers and its foliage. 
Dasylirion glaucophyllum, a native of central Mexico, is a most orna- 
mental member of the Lil'aceae, or Lily family. 
Echinocactus, or HEDGEHOG THISTLE, is a genus of the Cactus family, 
represented here by 3 species. ‘These plants are globular, very spiny 
cactuses from Mexico. In their native land they reach great size, 
and a well grown specimen may weight more than a ton Where water 
is scarce they furnish drink for herds of cattle, which become very 
clever in breaking up the cactuses with their hoofs and sucking the 
juice. The juice is valued by the Mexican Indians for its cooling 
antifebrile qualities. 
Epiphyllum truncatum, or CHRISTMAS Cactus, is a member of the Cac- 
tus family that gets its name from the fact that it blooms here at 
Christmas time. Elsewhere it is often known as “Crab Cactus” 
because the flower more or less resembles a crab or shrimp. This 
species grows as an epiphyte on the trees of its native land, and is 
especially grafted here for exhibition purposes. The collection also 
includes several related species. 
Euphorbia splendens, or CROWN OF THORNS, a native of Madagascar, 
belongs to the Euphorbiaceae, the family to which snow-on-the-moun- 
tain and flowering spurge belong. This is a most striking shrub, in 
bloom the year round. 
Furcraea, or MEDITTERRANEAN Hemp, or GREEN ALOE, is a genus of 
the Amaryllidaceae, the family to which the amaryllis belongs. The 
‘genus is represented here by 3 species. 
Hechtia, a native of Mexico, belongs to the Bromeliaceae, the family 
to which the pineapple belongs. The genus is valued for its orna- 
mental foliage, and is represented here by 15 species. 
Juniperus, or JUNIPER, belongs to the Coniferae, or Pine family. The 
genus is represented here by 12 species. 
Lagerstroemia indica, or CRAPE MyrTLE, a native of China or India, 
is a most beautiful shrub belonging to the Lythraceae, the family to 
which our loosestrife belongs. This is one of the most prized flowering 
shrubs in warm sections. It is hardy in the United States as far 
north as Washington. 
Ligustrum ovalifolium, or CALIFORNIA PRIVET, a native of Japan, is an 
ornamental shrub that belongs to the Oleaceae, the family to which 
