FLORA. The flora of Japan is exceedingly rich in variety, and its luxuriance is in keeping with the warmth and the moisture of the Japanese summer. In 1376 Franellet and Savatier enume rated no fewer than 2743 species of phaneroga mons and the higher eryptogamous plants, dis tributed among 1035 genera. Since then the number has been increased to over 3000. The ferns are represented by 43 species, the sedge family by 168, and the Ericacefe by 76. In the plains one meets with pimpernel, the lily of the valley, blue-bells, cye-bright. various kinds of violets, the gladiolus or sword-lily, and many species of iris, heme•oeallis, etc., as well as the characteristically Japanese Lespeden striuta, or `Japan clover,' with its minute purple flowe•, noW well known throughout the Southern United States, having been introduced accidentally about 1840, perhaps in tea-chests. In April the hill sides of Japan are ablaze with azaleas.
Among trees, evergreens, of which there are said to be 150 varieties. predominate. Savati•r enumerates 41 species of Coniferfe alone. One of the most characteristic of Japanese trees is the sugi, or 'Japanese cedar' (Crypiomeria japo vim), which sometime.; attains a height of 150 feet. Tt is a favorite in temple grounds. and is frequently seen lining the highways, but more particularly the approaches to sonic sacred place, as along the great avenue (nearly 50 miles in length) leading to the tomb of lyevasu at Nikko (q.v.). Another beautiful temple-tree is the Ieho (Salisbaria Minntifoliu) or `maiden-hair' tree. A fine specimen, said to be 1000 years old, stands near the entrance to the Temple of Ha chiman at Kamakura.
The cypress and the yew, firs of different kinds, the box, the holly, and the myrtle abound. The mulberry-tree. the tea-plant, the lacquer-tree (Ph us remniciferul, the eampher-tree, and many species of bamboo not only add to the beauty of the landscape, but are of great economic value.
Among deciduous trees are the oak (20 species), the maple (24 species), beeches, alders, the ash, the horse-ehestnut, the birch, and 17 species of willow. The hinolci, or 'fire-cypress,' is much prized in the making of lacquer-ware; the heya ki, or Japanese elm (Planc-ro japonica), in cabi net work; and the box for combs. The hajimo-ki, or wax-tree, glows profusely on the hillsides and round the edges of the cultivated fields in Kiu shim and the coma•tree, the banyan-tree. and the banana flourish in Loo-choo and the Rollins. The bud and leaves of the ornamental kill, or Pau /au-ilia imperialis, form the badge of the Mikado. Among the climbing and twining plants are the 1.1!plcun,/ca cordifolia, several species of climbing magnolia. whose coils run from right to left, the .1kebin quinata, the Clcmalis japonica, and the wistaria, which in June. The plum blos soms in February: the cherry in April. The tree peony tbiwers about the first of May, lotuses till the castle moats and eanals in August. and in November the chlysanthemum is the occasion of perhaps the greatest of the Japall•,:e flower festi vals. Of the fruits the grape is the best, and those front the Province of Kai are most esteemed. (See Tin' kaki. or persimmon, comes later in the year, and is a very luscious fruit; the oranges grown in Kiushin are also good. The pear is woody and worthless. All attempts at introducing English and other pears have invari ably proved unsuccessful. But the apple is now cultivated with good results in Yezo. The straw berry has been successfully introduced. The Icittat eomes in April.