THE BOTANY OF THE PALACE.

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called tlie Looking Glass Plant, from the silvery appearance ofthe underside of the leaf. Here also is a magnificent example ofthe Black Bamboo, the canes of which are used for a great varietyof useful purposes, and for ornament as well. The rapid growthof this plant is astounding, the shoots of the present specimenhaving often increased in height at the rate of more than 12 inchesdaily.

In the centre of this, the northern extremity of the Have, risesone of the finest specimens to be met with in this country of thenoble Sabal Palmetto. This tree represents the extensive groupof Palms , having palmate or fan-shaped leaves. A curious fibrehangs in graceful ringlets from the foliage. On the right hand ofthis splendid tree we commence our return down the garden sideof the Nave with Border No. 10. In the corner stands a largegroup of Bamboos. This species attains a much greater size thanits cogener on the other side; in its native wilds the stems oftenexceed the height of 100 feet, the growth of a single season. Thestems seldom grow higher after the first year, but become denselyclothed with delicate leafy branches. This may almost be calledthe domestic Bamboo, as it furnishes material for an almost infinitevariety of domestic articles. In this Border are two other largevarieties of Palm. The first Corypha sylvestris , from New Holland,is, like the Sabal Palmetto, a Pan-Palm. The Coryphee are socalled from ICoryphe, the summit, as the leaves branch only fromthe top of the trunk, making a very stately and beautiful form.This tree surmounts a group of root-work, upon which are plantedrare Orchids , Perns, and a variety of other beautiful exotics. Thelarge Borders on this side of the Tropical Department are mostlymade in this picturesque manner. If we now pass on we find closeto the column a large Coffee-tree, from Yemen , which in theautumn bears its interesting berries. Close to this is a lofty ScrewPine ( Pandanus odoratissimus) from the East Indies. The flowersof this tree are so deliciously fragrant that in Egypt and Arabia itis often cultivated for their sake; the fruit somewhat resembles thepine-apple, but is not so good. In the South Sea Islands, wherethis species grows in great plenty, the natives convert its leavesand products into a variety of uses and ornaments. It has receivedits name from the screw-like arrangement of its foliage, and notfrom the appearance of the trunk. It will be noticed that the rootsare partially above ground, and constitute a kind of support whichstrengthens according to the peculiarities of position in which thetree grows. The roots from some of the Pandani descend thus,