has oblong-lanceolate leaves about 3 inches long, and N. ovata has rather smaller ovate cuspidate leaves. There are handsome variegated varieties of both species.

Dacrýdium, Microcáchrys, and Phyllocladus are Australasian genera belonging to this tribe, but none of their species are sufficiently hardy for our climate.

ORDER CXI.-GNETACEÆ.

This is a small order or, as considered by some, a tribe, of the Coniferæ. The species are shrubs or trees with jointed branchlets and simple net-veined broad or small scale-like leaves. The fruit is a small 2-seeded berry in the only genus concerning us. There are only three genera referred here. Gnètum has large opposite leaves, and Welwitschia is remarkable for its short thick tabular flat-topped trunk with two opposite leaves.

1. EPHEDRA.

This genus consists of trailing shrubs with numerous very long slender jointed green branches, and small scale-like leaves. The fruit is a 2-seeded berry. These shrubs inhabit the rocky shores of the Mediterranean and salt plains of Asia. The generic name is of Greek origin, and was applied by the ancients to the Horsetail (Hippùris vulgàris).

E. altissima and E. distáchya, from the Mediterranean region, and E. monostáchya from Siberia, will flourish near the sea in the South-western counties. They are suitable for covering rock-work or pillars. The first is very showy when covered with its scarlet berries.

SUB-CLASS II.-MONOCOTYLEDONS OR ENDOGENS.

Stem destitute of central pith, not increasing by annual layers, vascular bundles irregularly scattered amongst the cellular tissue. Leaves usually parallel-veined. Seeds with 1 cotyledon. Parts of the flower generally in whorls of three.

DIVISION I.-PETALOIDEE.

Perianth usually composed of 6 segments arranged in 1 or 2 regular whorls, all or some of them coloured, or rarely green. For exceptions see Aroider and Typhacea.

ORDER I.-PALMACEÆ.

This noble family of arborescent plants unfortunately contributes but little towards the permanent decoration of our gardens in consequence of none of the species being perfectly hardy in our climate. But as some of the more robust species are employed in the sub-tropical garden during the Summer months, we must devote a little space to their consideration. With very few exceptions, the Palms have unbranched stems crowned with a tuft of usually very large leaves. The extreme forms exhibit two distinct kinds of foliage, though there are species having foliage of a somewhat intermediate character. There is the flabelliform or fan-shaped leaf, as in Livistòna austràlis, syn. Corypha austràlis (fig. 221), a handsome Australian species with immensely large shining leaves and a trunk from 50 to 70 or more feet high; and the pinnate or feathery leaf, as in the Date Palm, Phoenix dactylífera (fig. 222), which grows from 60 to 80 feet high, and is extensively cultivated in Northern Africa and elsewhere for its edible fruit. Before enumerating a few of the suitable for the embellishment of the garden will give the principal technical characters.

hardier species in Summer, we The stems of

Palms, like all other Endogenous plants, scarcely increase in diameter, that is to say, they do not add to their size by concentric woody layers, but the trunk merely lengthens and consolidates as it unfolds new leaves. The flowers are either unisexual

or hermaphrodite and individually small and inconspicuous, but commonly exceedingly numerous and arranged on large branching spadices enclosed in a foliaceous spathe, which opens when the flowers are about to expand. The entire inflorescence of some species is of immense proportions. The structure of the flowers is tolerably uniform, being composed of 6 perianthsegments in two more or less distinct series, and from 3 to

an indefinite number of stamens. The ovary is superior and composed of 1 to 3 more or less combined 1- or rarely 2-seeded carpels. Fruit drupaceous or nucamentaceous, and often clothed with fibres or imbricated scales.

Seeds albuminous,

often large. The Date Palm mentioned above is best known to us through its dried fleshy fruits, the edible part being the pericarp or seed-vessel. Another fruit produced by a member of this family, and even more familiar than the Date, is the Cocoa-nut, the product of Cocos nucifera. Here the part eaten is the albumen and milk of the seed. The following are some of the best for withstanding the winds and other adverse influences which our climate displays even in Summer. Species with fan-shaped leaves: Sabal Palmetto, S. umbra

1.

culifera, Chámærops excélsa, Ch. Fortunei, Ch. humilis, and Livistòna austràlis. 2. Species with feathery leaves: Jubaa spectábilis, nearly hardy; Seaforthia élegans, and various species of Phanix and Còcos. We ought to mention, however, that scarcely any of these will retain their beauty except in warm sheltered localities. Chamaerops humilis is the only European species, and Ch. Fortunei, a native of China, is the only species sufficiently hardy to withstand our winters in the most favoured situations of the mildest parts of England.

ORDER II.-AROÌDEÆ.

Herbs with tuberous rhizomes, large radical usually netveined leaves, and spathaceous inflorescence. Flowers on a spadix, unisexual or hermaphrodite. Perianth none, or consisting of 4 to 8 hypogynous divisions. Stamens definite or indefinite. Fruit baccate, one- or more celled, one- or more seeded. A large order containing about 100 genera and 1,000 species, chiefly inhabiting tropical countries. We have three representatives in our native flora. The commonest is Arum. maculatum, Lords-and-Ladies, or Cuckoo-Pint. A. Itálicum has only been observed in the South of England. Acorus Cálamus, Sweet Flag, has equitant ensiform leaves and a tall compressed spathaceous scape, and a lateral spadix crowded with very small bisexual flowers. It is rare and local in England. The species worth introducing into the flower garden are limited in number.

1. CÁLLA.

Aquatic or marsh plants with white spathes and cordate. leaves. The flowers are destitute of a perianth and either unisexual or bisexual, and crowded at the summit of the spadix. Berries red. A genus of few species inhabiting Europe and North America. The name is from xaλós, beautiful, in allusion to the spathe of some species.

1. C. palústris.-A dwarf creeping perennial aquatic or marsh plant with cordate leaves on long petioles, and flat open ribbed spathes. A native of Europe and North America, and very pretty for introducing into small ponds or basins.

Richárdia Ethiopica, syn. Cálla Ethiopica (fig. 223), Trumpet Lily, so commonly seen in cottage windows, etc., will