National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-20

red sandstone, and is the most remark
able in one of the most remarkable groups
Of hills have ever seen. 1t rises like
wedge, almost perpendicular on the long
sides, to n height of 1900 feet tho only
way of ascent being up one Of the narrow
ends, on which this fine tree Is found.
The hill is about mile long and one
third of milo wide, being wider in
places at the tsp than at the bottom. The
top 10 covered with trees and plants, but
as the ascent is made up the bare face of
tho rock by shallow steps and an uncer-
tain chain over sheer precipice more
than 1000 highI did not 60 up. Within
q radius of several miles are more than
100 striking peaks of oil shapes, covered
with vegetation, and among them little
stream, navisable by small boats, winds.
The vegetation is most profuse, abound
ing in new and beautiful plants. Two
other fine species Of CastanopSis were dis
covered about tho same time. Orchids.
loranthi,t and many other varities are
found. Several new genera have already
rewarded the search of the explorer
FEW OF THESE NEW PLANTS
are in cultivation in the botanical gar
dens in Hong Kong. In conversation
with the writer, in his house near Kew
Gardens, Sir Joseph Hooker expressed
the strsng desire that living specimens of
these naw plants, especially tho orna-
mental ones, should be forwarded to Eng
land. And certainly the many magniti-
cent specimens brought to light in tho
last few years would add greatly to tho
fora, wealth of our gardens and conserva-
tories. Botanical research in China has
settled many interesting questions in
science and commerce. "Golaryal," known
aud used a. medicine by the ancient
Crooks, was not determined botanically
until 10 was found growing In the south
of Chins, and waa described by DIR. Hancc
as Alpinia oaicinarum. Tho precise char
aetcr of the cassia of com msree, exported
In large quantities in tho form of bark
and essential oil, was not known until
three years ago the plantations in the in
terror of Canton and kwang-si were Wis
tied, and tho plant found to be CHINA
momum cassia, and not Taurus cipnamD-
mum, rs WAS formerly supposed. The
star anise, ilicium anisatum ono OF the
great exports Of Kwang-si, has still to be
seen in the living plant, aud each trav-
eler in that region, with botanical
turn, looks keenly about in hope OF
being the hrst to discover IL. Mating
has long been an article of export from
China, but the grass from which it is
made was but recently described DO.
tanically. The tea oil, used by the natives
| in ointments and for cooking, and ex-
ported as one OF the essential oils, is
| found to he tho product OF she cSmellia
oliefsra. This plant is extensively culti-
waited on tho hillsides OF the interior, and
| on one occasion | walked FOR several
miles along N path archcd over by those
! camel ia trees covered thickly with beau
| full white blossoms. In Haluan l have
seen camsllia trees Of this species foot
aud half in diameter and over twenty
feet high, perfectly symmetrical in shape
showing ono slist1ning mass OF snow
white blossoms.
The discovery of the European ivy in
! the hills of Canton, aud of the English
mop, neither OF which was known to exist
there before, has added zoSt to my taste
for botanical research, and similar eXpe-
rience is sure to reward all who enter
this interesting field. b. O. HENRY.
sCtimOndHihus hdgrdns a very fragran
| blooming shrub, with yellow flowers, blooming
nearly all winter In mild seasons, quite hardy
introduced into parks TO be seen IN the aSrl
cultural department grounds, Washington; be
\ longs to the order CdiycInihdcca, represented
4 by the native species CdlyelHttus JtOuduS (sNee
shrub, and two other species In the UnlIe'
| States.
fi.ubus, the oeaus to which belong the rasp
berry and blackberry.
fOrchids and iordRhi two families of plant
having generally parasitic haOlls' Inc OIcAld
are mostly Gfr-pldnS, that locate lhem'olYes OF
the branches and irunksol trees IN the troplcs)
but do not food upon tho sap OF ths Tree. Tn
lOTdHiits, the true parasites, the AiA!sis;J dRHg
take root IN the bark OF the tree ana i've upoi
its sap.