UC-NRLF

I1

#

GIFT OF L.Ph. Bolander

SELECT PLANTS

(EXCLUSIVE OF TIMBER 'TEEBS)

•

BEADILT ELIGIBLE FOB

.VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE,

with indications of their native countries and some of their uses.

AN ENUMERATION OFFEBED BY

BAEON FEED. VON MUELLEE,

C.M.G., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., F.R.G.S., C.M.Z.S., F.R.B.S.,

Commander of the Order of St. Jago,, and of the Order of Isabella Cath., Vice-President of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria.

WHEN offering an Appendix to the Acclimatisation Society's Eeport of last year, in the enumeration of timber trees desirable for a country of our clime, my willingness was expressed to extend the notes, then offered, also to other plants of prominent utilitarian value So considerate was the reception, which the former Appendix experienced, that I am induced already to redeem my promise of extending these data ; and I do this with all the. more readiness, as the rapid progress of tillage almost throughout our Colonial dominion is causing more and more a desire for the general and particular indication of such plants, which a colder clime excludes from the northern countries, where most of us spent our youth. Within the pages, allotted to this communication, the notes offered could only be indicative. Hence this list is merely intended to facilitate the choice of selection. More extensive information must be sought in special works, to which, through the English language, access is given by the literature of Britain and North America. Thus the

828341

colonist, who wishes, to pursue an altered path of husbandry, by iaj!6pting.g(6me«nQw: foreign plants for his culture, can follow up easily enough the enquiry, to which he may be led by the indica- tiori-s;iiow 'submitted.* . •*

The writer found himself surrounded by some difficulty ^5- drawing the line of demarcation between the plants admissible into this list and those which should be excluded, because the final importance of any particular species, for a particular want, locality or treatment, cannot be fully foretold. Moreover, the field is so ample from which our plants for novel culture may be gathered, that only the first instalment of a suggestive and abridged index could be presented on this occasion ; but it may be supplemented, as well as the former notes on timber trees, should friendly consideration recognize the spirit, in which these suggestions are offered. As an instance of the difficulty to adduce what is most desirable for an enumeration, such as the present, it may be mentioned, that many species of the thousands of foreign grasses would be highly eligible here, either for natu- ralization or for cultural purposes. A few, however, could only be singled out for the present purpose, and this with no other view than leading the occupants of our soil onward in some new direction for their pastoral or agrarian pursuits.

The plants, which appear to be of primary importance for our rural wants, have been designated in this list with an asterisk, Of these, indeed, many are long since secured by the efforts of numerous colonists and their friends abroad, who strove to enrich our cultural resources ; and in these efforts the writer, so far as his public or private means did permit, has ever endea- voured to share. But although such plants are introduced, they are not in all instances as yet widely diffused, nor in many locali- ties tested. Also, for the sake of completeness, ordinary culture plants appear in this index, as the opportunity seemed an apt one, to offer a few passing remarks on their value. The claims of this contribution on originality must necessarily be very limited. What for ages has engaged the reflection of thousands cannot present absolutely or largely a new field of research. So

3

it is especially with the means and objects of ordinary culture of fields. To gather, therefore, from a widely-scattered literature that, which might be here instructive or suggestive, was mainly my task, though those gatherings may prove insignificant. Likely also such enumerations, in a very condensed form, will promote our communications for rural interchanges, both cis- and trans-equatorial, though mainly with the countries of the Northern Hemisphere, which predominantly, if not almost exclusively, provided all the vegetable substances, which enter into the main requisites of our daily life. Lists like the present may aid also in naming the plants and their products with scientific correctness in establishments of economic horticulture, or in technologic or other educational collections. In grouping, at the close of this tract, the genera of the plants enumerated, according to the products which they yield, facility is afforded for tracing out any particular series of plants, about which special economic information may be sought, or which may prominently engage at any time the attention of the cultivator, the manufac- turer, or the artisan.

Melbourne Botanic G-arden, April, 1872.

Acacia Farnesiana, Willd.

Dioscorides's small Acacia. Indigenous to South Asia ; found westward as far as Japan ; a native also of the warmer parts of Australia, as far south as the Darling Eiver ; found spontaneously in tropical and sub-tropical America, but apparently not in tropical Africa. Professor Fraas has recognised in this Acacia the ancient plant. The scented flowers are much sought after for perfumery. This bush may also be utilized as a hedge plant, and a kind of G-um Arabic may be obtained from it.

AchiUea Millefolium, L.

Yarrow or Millfoil. Europe, Northern Asia and North America. A perennial medicinal herb of considerable astringency, pervaded with essential oil, containing also a

bitter principle (Achillein) and a peculiar acid, which takes its name from the generic appellation of the plant.

Aconitum Napellus, L.

The Monk's Hood. In the colder, especially mountainous parts of Europe and Northern Asia. A powerful medicinal plant of perennial growth, but sometimes only of biennial duration, variable in its forms. It was first introduced into Australia, together with a number of other Aconits, by the writer of this communication. All the species possess more or less modified medicinal qualities, as well in their herb as in their root ; but so dangerously powerful are they, that the plants can only be administered by the exercise of legiti- mate medical practice. Napellus root, according to Professor Wittstein, contains three alkaloids : Aconitin, Napellin and Narcotin. The foliage contains also a highly acrid, volatile principle, perhaps chemically not unlike that of many other Kanunculacese. Aconitin, one of the most potent of any of the medicinal substances in existence, can likewise be obtained from the Nepalese Aconitum ferox,^and probably from several other species of the genus.

Acorus Calamus, L.

The Sweet Flag. Europe, Middle and North Asia, North America. A perennial pond or lake plant. The somewhat aromatic root is used as a stomachic, and also in the pre- paration of confectionery, in the distillation of gin, and in the brewing of some kinds of beer. The flavor of the root depends mainly on a peculiar volatile oil.

Actaea spicata, L.

The Baneberry. On forest mountains, mainly in limestone soil of Europe, North Asia and North America. A peren- nial medicinal herb. Its virtue depends on peculiar acrid and bitter, as well as tonic principles. In North America, this species, and likewise A. alba, are also praised as effica- cious antidotes against ophidian poisons.

Adesmia balsamica, Bertero.

The Jarilla of Chili. A small shrub, remarkable for exuding a fragrant balsam of some technic value.

^Eschynomene aspera, L.

The Solah of tropical Asia. A large perennial erect or floating swamp plant, probably hardy in the warmer tracts of our Colony. Introduced from the Botanic Garden of Melbourne into the tropical parts of Australia. The pith- hats are made from the young stems of this plant. The Solah is of less importance for cultivation than for naturalisa- tion.

Agave Americana, L.

The gigantic Aloe of Central America. It comes here into flower in about ten years. The pithy stem can be utilized for some of the purposes, for which cork is usually employed, for instance, to form the bottom of insect-cases. The honey-sucking birds and the bees are very fond of the flowers of this prodigious plant. The leaves of this and some other Agaves, such as A. Mexicana, furnish the strong Pita-fibre, which is adapted for ropes, and even for beautiful textile fabrics. The sap can be converted into alcohol. Where space and circumstances admit of it, impenetrable hedges may be raised in the course of some years from Agaves.

Agrostis alba, L.

The Fiorin or White Bent- Grass. Europe, North and Middle Asia, North Africa, North America. Perennial, showing a predilection for moisture. It is valuable as an admixture to many other grasses, as it becomes available at the season, when some of them fail. Sinclair regards it as a pasture grass inferior to Festuca pratensis and Dactylis glomerata, but superior to Alopecurus pratensis. The variety with long suckers is best adapted for sandy pastures, and helps to bind shifting sand on the sea coast, or broken soil on river banks.

Aletris farinosa, L.

The Colic root of the woodlands of North America. This pretty herb is of extreme bitterness, and can be medicinally administered as a tonic,

6

Alkanna tinctoria, Tausch.

On sandy places around the Mediterranean Sea. It yields the Alkanna root, used for dyeing oleaginous and other sub- stances. It might be naturalized.

Allium Schcenoprasum, L.

The Chives. Europe, Northern Asia and North America. Available for salads and condiments. This species of Allium seems not yet so generally adopted in our culinary cultiva- tion as Allium Ascalonicum (the Shallot), A. Cepa (the ordinary Onion), A. fistulosum (the Welsh Onion), A. Porrum (the Leek), or A. sativum (the Grarlick). A. Scoro- doprasum, or the Sand Leek of Europe and North Africa, resembles both Grarlick and Shallot.

Aloe ferox, Mill.

South Africa. This species yields the best Cape Aloe, as observed by Dr. Pappe. The simply inspissated juice of the leaves of the various species of this genus constitutes the Aloe drug. It is best obtained by using neither heat nor pressure for extracting the sap. By re-dissolving the aqueous part in cold water, and reducing the liquid through boiling to dryness, the Extract of Aloes is prepared. All species are highly valuable in our Colony, where they are hardy, and can be used, irrespective of their medicinal importance, to beautify any rocky or otherwise arid spot.

Aloe linguiformis, Miller.

South Africa. According to Thunberg, from this species the purest gum-resin is obtained.

Aloe plicatilis, Mill.

South Africa. The drug of this species acts milder than that of A. ferox.

Aloe purpurascens, Haworth.

South Africa. Again one of the plants, which furnishes the Cape Aloe of commerce.

Aloe socotrina, L,.

Hills of the Island of Socotra. Also cultivated in Barbadoes and elsewhere, thus yielding the Socotrin Aloe.

Aloe spicata, Thunberg.

South Africa. This aloe provides Cape Aloe. It is an exceedingly handsome plant.

Aloe vulgaris, Lamarck.

The Yellow-flowered Aloe. Countries around the Mediter- ranean Sea, also Canary Islands, on the sandy or rocky sea coast. Such places could also here readily be utilized for this and allied plants. Dr. Sibthorp identified this species with the 'A>.OTJ of Dioscorides ; hence it is not probable, that A. vulgaris is simultaneously also of American origin, although it is cultivated in the Antilles, and furnishes from thence the main supply of the Barbadoes Aloe. In East India this species is also seemingly only existing in a culti- vated state. Haworth found the leaves of this and of A. striata softer and more succulent than those of any other aloe. It is said to be the only species with yellow flowers among those early known. It is also this species only, which Professor Willkomin and Professor Parlatore record as truly wild in Spain and Italy.

Aloe Zeyheri, Harvey.

South Africa. A magnificent, very tall species, doubtless valuable like the rest.

Alopecurus pratensis, L.

Meadow Foxtail Grass. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. One of the best of perennial pasture grasses. Though so extensively cultivated for years in our Colony, it is mentioned, for completeness' sake, in this list. It attains to its full perfection only after a few years of growth, as noticed by Sinclair. For this reason, it is not equal to Dactylis glornerata for the purpose of changing crops. Otherwise it is more nutritious than the latter, although the annual return in Britain proved less. Sheep thrive well on it. Sinclair and others found that this grass, when exclu- sively combined with white clover, will support from the second season five ewes and five lambs on an acre of sandy loam. But this grass, to thrive well, needs land not altogether dry. In all permanent artificial pastures, this

8

Alopecurus should form one of the principal ingredients, because it is so lasting and nutritive. In our Alpine regions it would also prove prolific, and might convert many places there gradually into summer-runs. It is early flowering, and likes the presence of lime in the soil.

Alstonia constricta, F. v. M.

Warmer parts of East Australia, particularly in the dry inland districts. The bark of this small tree is aromatic- bitter, and regarded as valuable in ague, also as a general tonic.

Alstrcsmeria pallida, Graham.

Chili. Palatable starch can be obtained from the root of this plant, which, for its loveliness alone, deserves a place in any garden. The tubers of others of the numerous Alstros- merias can doubtless be utilized in a similar technic manner.

Althsea officinalis, L.

The Eeal Marsh-Mallow. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. A tall perennial herb, with handsome flowers. The mucilaginous root and also the foliage are used for medicinal purposes. The plant succeeds best on damp, somewhat saline soil.

Amelanchier Botryapium, Candolle.

The Grape-Pear of North America. This fruit tree attains a height of 30 feet. The purplish fruits are small, but of pleasant taste, and ripen early in the season. This bush or tree will live in sandsoil ; but it is one of those hardy kinds particularly eligible for our Alps.

Amygdalus coxnmunis, L.

The Almond Tree. Countries around the Mediterranean Sea and Orient. Both the sweet and bitter Almond are derived from this species. Their uses, and the value of the highly palatable oil, obtained by pressure from them, are well known. This oil can well be chosen as a means of providing a pleasant substitute for milk during sea voyages, &c., by mixing, when required, with it half its weight of powdered gum arabic, and adding then successively, while quickly agitating in a stone mortar, about double the quantity of

9

water. Thus a palatable and wholesome sort of cream for tea or coffee is obtained at any moment. There exist hard and soft shelled varieties of both the sweet and bitter Almond. In time, they should form an important article of our exports. Almonds can even be grown on sea shores. The crystalline Amygdalin can best be prepared from bitter Almonds, through removing the oil by pressure, then sub- jecting them to distillation with alcohol, and finally precipi- tating with JEther. The volatile bitter Almond oil — a very dangerous substance — is obtained by aqueous distillation. Dissolved in alocohol, it forms the Essence of Almonds. This can also be prepared from peach kernels.

Anacyclus Pyrethrum, Candolle.

Countries near the Mediterranean Sea. The root is used medicinally.

Andropogon avenaceus, Michaux.

(Sorghum avenaceum, Chapman.)

North and Central America. This tall perennial grass lives in dry, sandy soil, and shonld here be tried for growth of fodder.

Andropogon bicolor, Eoxburgh.

Warmer parts of Asia. One of the annual tall Sorghums' It ripens its seeds in three or four months from the time of sowing, the produce in good soil being often upwards of one hundredfold. It is a wholesome gram.

Andropogon Calamus, Boyle.

Central India. The Sweet Calamus of the Ancients. From this species the Gringergrass-oil of Nemaur is distilled, an article much used in perfumery.

Andropogon cernUUS, Eoxb. (Sorghum cernuum, "Willd.)

One of the Gruinea Corns. India, where it is much culti- vated, and so also in other tropical countries. It is peren- nial, and forms the " staff of life of the mountaineers " beyond Bengal. Ifc reaches a height of 15 feet, with leaves over 3 feet long. The thick stems are rooting at the lower joints, and cattle are very fond of them. The grain is white. The specific limits of the various Sorghums are not well ascertained.

10

Andropogon citratus, Candolle.

The Lemon Grass of India. It yields an essential oil for perfumery; besides it is occasionally used for tea. This applies as well to Andropogon Nardus, L., and some allied grasses.

Andropogon Haleppensis, Sib thorp.

South Europe, Orient. A rich perennial grass, cultivated often under the name of Cuba Grass.

Andropogon Ivarancusa, Eoxb.

One of the fragrant grasses of North India, much used like A. Sho3nanthus.

Andropogon Martini, Roxb. (A.flexuosus, Nees.)

On the mountains of India. The fragrant Citronella Oil is distilled in Ceylon and elsewhere from the leaves of this species. General Martin observed, that cattle are vora- ciously fond of this grass ; but it imparts its fragrance to meat and milk.

Andropogon muricatus, Eetz.

India. A Swamp-grass, with delightfully fragrant roots.

Andropogon nutans, L. (Sorglimi nutans, Gray.)

North America. A tall, nutritious, perennial grass, content with dry and barren soil.

Andropogon SaCCharatllS, Ttoxb. (Sorghum saccharatum, Pers.) Tropical Asia. The Broom-Corn. A tall annual species, splendid as a fodder grass. From the saccharine juice sugar is obtainable. A sample of such, prepared from plants of the Melbourne Botanic Garden, was shown at the Exhibition of 1862. This Sorghum furnishes also material for a well-known kind of brooms. A variety or a closely allied species yields the Caffir Corn (A. Caff'rorum, Kunth). The plant can be advantageously utilized for preparing treacle. For this purpose, the sap is expressed at the time of flowering, and simply evaporated ; the yield is about 100 gallons from the acre. In 1860, nearly seven millions of gallons of sorghum treacle were produced in the United States.

n Andropogon Shcenanthus, L.

Deserts of Arabia. A scented grass, allied to the Indian oil-yielding Andropogons. A similar species occurs in arid places of the interior of North Australia.

Andropogon Sorghum, Brotero. (Sorghum vulgar e, Persoon.) The large Indian Millet or Guinea Corn, or the Durra. Warmer parts of Asia. A tall annual plant. The grains can be converted into bread, porridge and other prepara- tions of food. It is a very prolific corn and to us particularly valuable for green fodder. Many others of the numerous species of Andropogon, from both hemispheres, deserve our attention.

Anemone Pulsatilla, L.

Europe and Northern Asia. On limestone soil. This pretty perennial herb is of some medicinal importance.

Anona Cherimolia, Miller.

Tropical and sub-tropical South America. This shrub or tree might be tried in the frostless lower valleys of East G-ipps Land, where humidity and rich soil will also prove favourable to its growth. It yields the Cherimoyer fruit. The flowers are very fragrant.

Anthemis nobilis, L.

The true Camomile. Middle and South Europe, North Africa. A well-known medicinal plant, here frequently used as edgings for garden plots. Flowers in their normal state are preferable for medicinal use to those, in which the ray-flowers are produced in increased numbers. They con- tain a peculiar volatile oil and two acids similar to Angelica and Yaleriana acid.

Anthemis tinctoria, L.

Middle and South Europe, Orient. An annual herb. The flowers contain a yellow dye.

Anthistiria Clliata, L. fil. (Anthistiria Australis, E. Brown.) The well-known Kangaroo Grass, not confined to Australia, but stretching through Southern Asia also, and through the whole of Africa. It is mentioned here, because its growth

12

should be encouraged by every means. There are several species of Anthistiria deserving introduction and naturalisa- tion in our Colony.

Anthoxanthum odoratum, L.

The Scented Vernal Grass. Europe, North and Middle Asia, North Africa. A perennial, not of great value as a fattening grass, yet always desired for the flavor, which it imparts to hay. Perhaps for this purpose the scented Andropogons might serve here also. On deep and moist soils it attains its greatest perfection. It is much used for mixing among permanent grasses on pastures, where it will continue long in season. It would live well in our Alps. The lamellar-crystalline Cumarin is the principle, on which the odor of Anthoxanthemum depends.

Apios tuberosa, Moench.

North America. A climber, with somewhat milky juice. The mealy tubers are edible.

Apium graveolens, L,

The Celery. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. It is here merely inserted with a view of pointing out, that it might be readily naturalized on our sea shores.

Apium prostratum, La Billardiere.

The Australian Celery. Extra-tropical Australia, New Zea- land, extra-tropical South America. This also can be utilized as a culinary vegetable.

Apocynum cannabinum, L.

On river banks in North America. This is recorded among plants yielding a textile fibre.

Arachis hypogaea, L.

The Earth-nut, Pea-nut or Ground-nut . Brazil. The seeds of this annual herb are consumed in a roasted state, or used for pressing from them a palatable oil. The plant is a very productive one, and yields a very quick return. It ranks also as a valuable fodder herb. A light somewhat calcareous soil is best fitted for its growth. On such soil, 50 bushels may be obtained from the acre,

Archangelica officinalis, Hoffmann.

Arctic zone and mountain regions of Europe. The stalks are used for confectionery ; the roots are of medicinal use. Only in our Alps would this herb fully establish its value. The root is biennial and used in the distillation of some cordials.

Arctostaphylos uva ursi, Sprengel.

Alpine and Arctic Europe, North Asia and North America. A medicinal small shrub, which here could best be reared in the heath-moors of our Alpine regions.

Argania Sideroxylon, Eoem. and Schult.

The Argan-tree. Western Barbary, on dry hills. Its growth is here found to be slow ; but it is a tree of longevity. Though comparatively low in stature, its foliage occasionally spreads to a circumference of 220 feet. It sends out suckers from the root. The fruits serve as food for cattle in Morocco ; but here the kernels would be more likely to be utilized by pressing the oil from them.

Aristolochia Serpentaria, L.

The Snake-root of North America. The root of this trailing herb is valuable in medicine ; it contains a peculiar volatile oil. Several other Aristolochise deserve culture for medi- cinal purposes, for instance, — Aristolochia ovalifolia (Gruaco) , and A. anguicida, from the mountains of Central America, should they prove hardy.

Arnica montana, L.

Colder parts of Europe. This pretty herb is perennial, and of medicinal value. It is eligible for our sub-alpine regions. The active principles are: — Arnicin, volatile oil, cupron and capryl acid.

Arracacha xanthorrhiza, Bancroft.

Mountain regions of Central America. An umbelliferous herb. The roots are nutritious and palatable. There are yellow, purple and pale varieties.

Artemisia Absinthium, L.

The Wormwood. Europe, North and Middle Asia, and North Africa. A perennial herb, valuable as a tonic and

14

anthelminthic. Several other species of Artemisia deserve cultivation for medicinal purposes. Active principles : — Absinthin, an oily substance, indurating to a crystalline mass ; a volatile oil peculiar to the species.

Artemisia Dracunculus, L.

The Tarragon or Estragon. North Asia. A perennial herb, used as a condiment. Its flavour rests on two volatile oils, one of them peculiar to the plant.

Arundinaria falcata, Nees.

ISTepaul. One of the hardiest kinds of the Bamboo tribe. It rises to the height of 20 feet, the canes attaining a diameter of 4 inches.

Arundinaria macrosperma, Michaux.

Southern States of North America, — particularly on the Missisippi. This Bamboo-like reed forms there the cane- brakes. It requires to be replanted after flowering in the course of years. Height 20 feet.

Arundo Donax, L.

The tall evergreen lasting Bamboo-reed of South Europe and North Africa. It is one of the most important plants of its class for quickly producing a peculiar scenic effect in picturesque plantations, also for intercepting at once the view to unsightly objects, and for giving early shelter. The canes can be used for fishing-rods.

Arundo Pliniana, Turr.

On the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. A smaller plant than A. Donax, with more slender stems and narrower leaves, but similarly evergreen, and resembling the Donax reed also in its roots.

Arundo saccharoides, F. v. M.

(Gfynerium saccharoides, Humboldt.)

Northern parts of South America. This species is here not yet introduced; but it is likely to prove hardy, Like the following, it is conspicuously magnificent.

15

Arundo Sellowiana, Schultes. (Arundo dioica, Spreng. non

Louriero. Gynerium argentewn, Nees.) The Pampas Grass of Uruguay, Paraguay and the La Plata State. A grand autumnal flowering reed, with gorgeous feathery panicles. As an industrial plant it deserves here a place, because paper can be prepared from its leaves.

Asparagus officinalis, L.

Europe, North Africa, North Asia. The well-known As- paragus plant, which, if naturalized on our coast, would aid in binding the sand. The foliage contains Inosit-Sugar ; the shoots contain Asparagin.

Astragalus Cephalonicus, Fischer. (A. aristatus, Sibthorp.) Cephalonia. A small shrub, yielding a good tragacanth; and so probably, also, the true A. aristatus of 1'Heritier is producing it.

Artragalus Creticus, La Marck.

Candia and Greece. A small bush, exuding the ordinary vermicular Tragacanth. The pale is preferable to the brown sort.

Astragalus gummifer, La Billard.

Syria and Persia. This shrub also yields a good kind of Tragacanth.

Astragalus strabiliferus, Boyle.

Asiatic Turkey. The brown Tragacanth is collected from this species.

Astragalus verus, Olivier.

Asiatic Turkey and Persia. This shrub furnishes the Takalor or Smyrna Tragacanth, or it is derived from an allied species.

Atriplex hortensis, L.

North and Middle Asia. The Arroche. An annual Spinage plant.

Atropa Belladonna, L.

The Deadly Nightshade. South and Middle Europe and Western Asia. A most important perennial medicinal herb.

16

The highly powerful Atropin is derived from it, besides another alkaloid, the Belladonnin.

Avena fatua, L.

"Wild Oat. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia, eastward as far as Japan. The experiments of Professor Buckman indicate, that our ordinary Culture- Oat (Avena sativa, L.) is descended from this plant.

Avena flavescens, 1^- (Trisetum flavescens, Beauv.)

Yellowish Oat G-rass. Europe, North Africa, Middle and North Asia, eastward as far as Japan. One of the best of perennial meadow-grasses, living on dry soil ; fitted also for our Alps.

Avena pratensis, L.

Meadow Oat Grass. Europe, North Asia. It thrives well on dry, clayey soil ; it produces a sweet fodder, but not in so great proportion as several other less nutritious grasses. It is perennial, and well adapted for our snowy mountains, where it would readily establish itself, even on heathy moors.

Avena pubescens, L.

Downy Oat-Grrass. Europe, North and Middle Asia. A sweet perennial grass, requiring dry but good soil, contain- ing lime. It is nutritious and prolific. Several good Oat- grasses are peculiar to North America and other parts of the globe. Their relative value as fodder-grasses is in many cases not exactly known, nor does the limit assigned to this little treatise allow of their being enumerated on this occa- sion.

Bactris Gasipses, Humboldt. (Guilielma speciosa, Mart.)

The Peach Palm of the Amazon Eiver, ascending to the warm- temperate regions of the Andes. Stems clustered, attaining a height of 90 feet. Dr. Spruce describes the large bunches of fruits as possessing a thick, firm and mealy pericarp, which, when cooked, has a flavor between Potato and Chesnut, but superior to either. To us, however, this palm would be mainly an object of grandeur. It is likely to endure our clime in the fern-tree gullies.

17

Bambusa arundinacea, Roxb.

The Thorny Bamboo of India. It requires rich, moist soil, and delights on river banks. It is of less height than Bam- busa vulgaris ; it also sends up from the root numerous stems, but with bending branches, thorny at the joints. The seeds of this and some other Bamboos are useful aa food for fowls.

Bambusa attenuata, Thwaites.

The Hardy Bamboo of Ceylon, there growing on the moun- tains at elevations between 4000 to 6000 feet. It attains a height of 25 feet.

Bambusa elegantissima, Hasskarl.

Java, on mountains about 4000 feet high. Very tall and exceedingly slender; the upper branches pendulous. A hardy species.

Bambusa monadelpha. (Dendrocalamus monadelphus, Thwaites.) Ceylon, on mountains from 4000 to 6000 feet high. A dwarf but handsome Bamboo, reaching only a height of 12 feet.

Bambusa spinosa, Eoxb.

Bengal. A Bamboo of considerable height. The central cavity of the canes is of less width than in most other species, thus the strength for many technic purposes is increased.

Bambusa stricta, Roxb. (DendrocMamus strictus, Nees.)

India, particularly Bengal. Grows on drier ground than B. arundinacea. It is also smaller, and quite straight. Its strength and solidity renders it fit for many select technic purposes.

Bambusa verticillata, Blume. The Whorled Bamboo of Java.

Bambusa vulgaris, Wendland.

The large unarmed Bamboo of Bengal, It attains a height of 70 feet, and stems may attain even a length of 40 feet in one season, though the growth is slower in our clime. It has proved to be capable of resisting the occasional night frost of the lowlands of Victoria. It is the best for building Bamboo-Houses. Immersion in water for some time ren-

18

ders the cane still firmer. To the series of large thornless Bamboos belong also Bambusa Tulda and Bambusa Balcooa of India, and Bambusa Thouarsii from Madagascar and Bourbon. These Bamboos are much used for various kind's of furniture, mats, implements and other articles. There are many other kinds of Bamboo eligible among the species from China, Japan, India, tropical America, and perhaps tropical Africa. One occurs in Arnhem's Land.

Barosma serratifolia, Willd.

South Africa. This shrub supplies the medicinal Bucco- leaves. B. crenulata, Hook. (Diosma crenulata, L.), is only a variety of this species. Active principles — A peculiar volatile oil, a peculiar resin, and a crystalline substance called Diosmin.

Beta vulgaris, L.*

The Beet or Mangold Eoot. Middle and South Europe, Middle Asia, North Africa. This well-known perennial or biennial herb ought to engage the general and extensive attention of our farming population. The herb is most valuable as a palatable and nutritious spinage ; the root is of importance not only as a culinary vegetable, but, as well known, also for its content of sugar, fit to be crystallised. That of Beet, indeed, is now almost exclusively consumed in Russia, Germany, Austria, France, Sweden and Belgium ; and these countries not only produce the Beet Sugar, but also export it largely to the neighbouring States. The white Sicilian Beet is mainly used for salads, spinage and soups. The thick-ribbed variety serves like Asparagus or Seakale, dressed like Ehubarb. Cereal soil, particularly such as is fit for Barley, is generally adapted also for the culture of Beet. The rearing of the root, and the manufac- ture of the sugar, can be studied from manifold works ; one has been compiled by Mr. N. Levy, of this city. A deeply stirred, drained soil, rich in lime, brings the saccharine variety of Beet to the greatest perfection. The Imperial Beet yields from 12 to 20 per cent, sugar. The Castelnau- derry, the Magdeburg, the Siberian Whiterib and the Vilmorin Beet are other varieties rich in sugar. About

19

5 Ibs. of seeds are required for an acre. In rotation of crops, the Beet takes its place best between Barley and Oats. In Middle Europe the yield averages 14 tons of Sugar Beet to the acre, and as many hundred weight of raw sugar. The mercantile value of the root, at our distilleries, ranged from 20s. to 30s. per ton. In our clime, the Beet harvest can be extended over a far longer time of the year than in Middle Europe. The extraction of the sap is effected generally by hydraulic pressure. The juice is purified with lime and animal coal. Excess of lime is removed by carbonic acid, and the purified and decolorized juice is evaporated in vacuum pans, with a view to prevent- ing the extensive conversion of the crystallisable sugar into treacle. The production of Beet sugar needs far less labor than that of cane sugar, and the harvest is obtained in so short a time as eight months. Beet has shown itself subject neither to alarming diseases nor to extensive attacks of insects. Beet is grown in extra-tropical zones like ours, while the sugar-cane is a plant confined to tropical and sub- tropical latitudes. Beet culture, by directly or indirectly restoring the refuge, ameliorates the soil to such an extent, that in some parts of Germany land, so utilized, has risen to fourfold its former value. Beet, furthermore, affords one of the most fattening stable fodders ; and thus again an ample supply of manure. In Middle Europe now about one-sixth of all the arable land is devoted to Beet, yet the produce of cereals has not become reduced, while the rearing of fattened cattle has increased. Notwithstanding a heavy tax on the Beet-sugar factories in Europe, the industry has proved prosperous, and assumes greater and greater dimen- sions. In 1865, the sugar consumption of Europe amounted to 31,676,497 cwt., one-third of which had been locally sup- plied by the Beet, from over one thousand beet-sugar factories. Treacle obtained from beet is distilled for alcohol. For establishing remunerative factories on a large and paying scale, it has been suggested that farmers' companies might be formed. For ascertaining the per- centage of sugar in Beet, saccharometers are used. . In Q-ermany, some scientific periodicals are exclusively devoted to the fostering of this industry.

Boehmeria mvea, Gaudichaud.*

The Eamee or Eheea. Soutliern Asia, as far east as Japan. This bush furnishes the strong and beautiful fibre- woven into the fabric, which inappropriately is called grass-cloth. The bark is softened by hot water or steam, and then separa- ble into its tender fibres. The best is obtained from the young shoots ; it is glossy, tough and lasting, combining to some extent the appearance of silk with the strength of flax. The ordinary market value of the fibre is about £40 per ton ; but Dr. Eoyle mentions that it has realized, at times, £120. The seeds are sown on manured or otherwise rich and friable soil. In the third year, or under very favorable circumstances even earlier, it yields its crops, as many as three annually. The produce of an acre has been estimated at 2 tons of fibre. This latter, since Kaempfer's time, has been known to be extensively used for ropes and cordage in Japan. Our rich and warmest forest valleys seem best adapted for the Eamee, as occasional irrigation can be also there applied. In the open grounds of Victoria it suffers from the night frosts, although this does not materially injure the plant, which sends up fresh shoots, fit for fibre, during the hot season. The plant has been cultivated and distributed since 1854, in the Botanic Garden of Melbourne, where it is readily propagated from cuttings, the seeds ripening rarely there. Cordage of this Boehmeria is three times as strong as that of hemp. Other species require to be tested, among them the one which was recently dis- covered in Lord Home's Island, namely Boehmeria calo- phleba.

Boronia megastigma, Nees.

In West Australia on margins of swamps. This remarkable bush is recorded here as an emblem of mourning, its ex- ternal blackish flowers rendering it especially eligible for graves. Industrially it interests us on account of its power- fully fragrant blossoms, for the sake of which this bush will deserve to be cultivated. The scent might be extracted by Mr. Bosisto's process.

Borrago officinalis, L.

South Europe, Orient. An annual herb, occasionally used for medicinal purposes or as an admixture to salad.

Brabejum stellatifolium, L.

South Africa. The nuts of this shrub are edible, resembling those of our Macadamia ternifolia, to which also in foliage and flowers Brabejum is closely allied. The nuts are also similar to those of the Chilian Gruevina Avellana.

Brassica alba, Visiani. (Sinapis alba, L.)

"White Mustard. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. An annual. The seeds are less pungent than those of the Black Mustard, but used in a similar manner. The young leaves of both are useful as a culinary and anti- scorbutic salad. Dr. Masters enumerates Brassica Chinensis, B. dichotoma, B. Pekinensis, B. ramosa and B. glauca among the Mustards, which undergo cultivation in various parts of Asia, either for the fixed oil of their seeds or for their herbage. Prom 15 Ibs. to 20 Ibs. of seeds of the White Mustard are required for an acre. In the climate of California, similar to ours, 1400 Ibs. of seeds have been gathered from an acre.

Brassica nigra, Koch. (Sinapis nigra, L,)

The Black Mustard. Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. An annual. The seeds, simply crushed and then sifted, con- stitute the Mustard of commerce. For medicinal purposes the seeds of this species are preferable for sinapism and other purposes. In rich soil this plant is very prolific ; and in our forest-valleys it is likely to remain free from the attack of aphis. Chemical constituents : A peculiar fixed oil, crystalline sinapin, the fatty sinapisin, Myron-acid and Myrosin.

Brassica oleracea, L.

An annual or biennial coast plant, indigenous to various parts of Europe. It is mentioned here with a view of show- ing, that it might be naturalized on our rocky and sandy sea shores. From the wild plant of the coast originated various kinds of Cabbages, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts,

Kail, Kohlrabi, &c. Other races of this species are collec- tively represented by Brassica Eapa, L. (B. campestris, L.), the Wild Navew, yielding most of the varieties of Turnips, some with other cultivated forms transferred to us from ancient times. Again other varieties are comprehended within Brassica Napus, L., such as the Swedish and Teltower Turnips, while the "Rape seed, so important for its oil (Colza), is also derived from a form of B. Napus. The Rape should be produced here as an agrarian produce, giving a rapid return, wherever it should remain free of aphis. The hardier turnips could be produced on our highest Alps, as they are grown still within the Arctic circle, and, according to Dr. J. Hooker, at a height of 15,000 feet in the Himalaya mountains.

Butomus umbellatus, L.

The Flowering Eush. Europe, North and Middle Asia. This elegant perennial water-plant is mentioned here more for its value in embellishing our lakes and watercourses than for the sake of its roots. The latter, when roasted, are edible. The plant would live in our subalpine rivulets.

<•> Bromus Ullioloides, Humboldt.* (B. Sckraderi, Kunth.)

Here called the Prairie Grass. From Central America it has spread over many parts of the globe. The writer saw it disseminated in the mountains of St. Vincent's Gulf as early as 1847. It is one of the richest of all grasses, grows continously and spreads readily from seeds, particularly on fertile and somewhat humid soil, and has proved as a lasting and nutritious fodder-grass or pasture-grass one of our best acquisitions.

Broussonetia papyrifera, Yentenat.

The Paper Mulberry. Islands of the Pacific Ocean, China, Japan, perhaps only truly indigenous in the last-named country. The bast of this tree or shrub can be converted into very strong paper. It can also be used as a textile fabric ; furthermore the fabrics made from it can be dressed with linseed oil for waterproof coverings. In cultivation the plant is kept like an osier. The leaves cannot be used

23

for silkworms. European fabrics have largely super- seded the clothing made of this plant in the South Sea Islands.

Caesalpinia Gilliesii, Wallich. (Poindana G-illiesii, Hooker.) La Plata States. This beautiful hardy bush can be utilized for hedges.

Cajanus Indicus, Candolle.

The Catjang ; in Assam, called G-elooa-mah. A shrubby plant of India, probably available for profitable culture and naturalization in the warmer parts of our Colony. It sus- tains itself on dry ground, and yields the pulse known as Dhal, Urhur and Congo-pea, The plant lasts for about three years. Several species of Cajanus of the Atylosia section, indigenous to the warmer parts of Australia, might be tested here for the sake of the economic value of their seeds. The insect, active in the formation of lac, lives extensively on the Cajanus, according to Mr. T. D. Brewster of Assam. Silkworms live also on it.

Calamus montanus, T. Anderson.

Himalaya, up to 6000 feet. A hardy climbing palm. The aged canes are naked. " The light but strong suspension- bridges, by which the large rivers of Sikkim are crossed, are constructed of this palm. It supplies material for the strongest ropes for dragging logs of wood from the forests. The most durable baskets and the cane-work of chairs are manufactured from the slit stems. Walking-sticks and riding-canes made of this species are exported from Sikkim in considerable quantity." Many other Calami serve similar purposes, but probably few or perhaps none are equally hardy.

X Camelina sativa, Crantz.

Middle and South Europe, temperate Asia. An annual herb, cultivated for the sake of its fibre and the oil of its seeds. It is readily grown after corn crops, yields richly even on poor soil and is not attacked by aphis. Mr. W. Taylor obtained 32 bushels of seeds from an acre, and from these 540 Ibs. of oil. The return is within a few months,

Canna Achiras, G-illies.

Mendoza. One of tlie few extra-tropic Cannas, eligible for Arrow-root culture.

Canna coccinea, Eoscoe.

West India. Yields with, some other Cannas the particular Arrow-root, called " Tous les mois.''

Canna edulis, Edwards.

The Adeira of Peru. One of the hardiest of Arrow-root plants, and thus well adapted for our clime. Seeds, even if many years old, will germinate. This species has yielded excellent starch at Melbourne. Western Port, Lake -Welling- ton, Ballarat and other localities, from plants supplied at the Botanic G-arden. The Eev. Mr. Hagenauer, of the Gripps Land Aboriginal Mission station, obtained 220 Ibs. of Arrow-root from one-eighth of an acre of this Canna. The gathering of the roots is effected about April. The plants can be set out in ordinary ploughed land. Captain James Hall, of Hastings, prepared also largely the starch from this root. Starch grains remarkably large.

Canna flaccida, Eoscoe.

Carolina. Probably also available for Arrow-root, though in first instance like many congeners chosen only for orna- mental culture.

Canna glauca, Linne.

One of the West Indian Arrow-root Cannas.

Cannabis sativa, L.*

The Hemp-plant ; indigenous to various parts of Asia, as far west as Turkey and as far east as Japan. Cultivated for its fibre since ancient times. Particularly in hot climes it exudes the " Churras," a resinous substance of narcotic intoxicating property. The foliage contains also a volatile oil, which the seeds yield by pressure — the well-known fixed Hemp-oil. The staminiferous plant is pulled for obtaining the fibre in its best state immediately after flowering ; the seeding plant is gathered for fibre at a later stage of growth. Good soil, well drained, never absolutely dry, is needed for

successful Hemp culture. Hemp is one of the plants yield- ing a full and quick return within the season. The summer temperatures of St. Petersburg (67° F.) and of Moscow (62° F.) admit yet of the cultivation of this plant.

^ Capparis spinosa, L.

South Europe and North Africa. A somewhat shrubby and trailing plant, deserving even for the sake of its hand- some flowers a place in any garden. It sustains its life in the most arid deserts. The frosts of our lowlands do not destroy this plant. The flower-buds and young berries preserved in vinegar with some salt form the Capers of commerce. Samples of Capers, prepared from plants of the Botanic Garden, are placed in our Industrial Museum, together with many other industrial products emanating from the writer's laboratory. A closely allied and probably equally useful plant, Capparis nummularia, is indigenous to Northern Australia. The Caper-plant is propagated either from seeds or suckers ; it is well able to withstand either heat or drought. The buds after their first immersion into slightly salted vinegar are strained and afterwards preserved in bottles with fresh vinegar. Chemical principle : Glycosid.

Capsicum annuum, L.

Central America. An annual herb, which yields the Chillies and thus also the material for Cayenne Pepper. Chemical principle : Capsicin, an acrid soft-resinous substance.

Capsicum baccatum, L.

The Cherry-Capsicum. A perennial plant. From Brazil brought to tropical Africa and Asia, where now other Pepper- Capsicums are likewise naturalized.

Capsicum frutescens, L.

Tropical America. The berries of this shrubby species are likewise converted into Cayenne Pepper.

Capsicum longum, Candolle.

Some of the hottest parts of America An annual herb, also yielding Cayenne Pepper. Our summers admit of the successful growth of at least the annual species of Capsicum in all the lowlands.

Carthamus tinctorius, L.

From Egypt to India. The Safflower. A tall annual rather handsome herb. The florets produce yellow, rosy, ponceau and other red shades of dye, according to various admix, tures. Pigment principles : Carthamin and Carthamus - yellow. For domestic purposes it yields a dye ready at hand from any garden. In India the Carthamus is also cultivated for the sake of the oil, which can be pressed from the seeds.

Carum Ajowan, Bentham. (PtycJiotis Ajowan t Candolle.)

India. The fruits of this annual herb form an excellent culinary condiment with the flavor of thyme. Its peculiar oil is accompanied by Cymol and Thymol.

Carum Carui, L:

The Caraway-plant. Perennial. Europe, North and Middle Asia. It might be naturalized in our Alps and also along our sea shores. The Caraway-oil is accompanied by two chemical principles : Carven and Carvol.

Carum ferulifolium, Koch. (Bunium feruUfolium, Desfont.) A perennial herb of the Mediterranean regions. The small tubers are edible.

Carum Petroselinum, Bentham. (Apium Petroselinum, L.) The Parsley. The biennial well-known herb, indigenous to South Europe and the Orient. Essential oil peculiar with Stearopten.

Caryota urens, L.

India. One of the hardier Palms, ascending according to Dr. Thomas Anderson the Himalayas to an altitude of 5000 feet, yet even there attaining a considerable height, though the temperature sinks in the cooler season to 40° Fahren- heit. The trunk furnishes a sago-like starch. This Palm flowers only at an advanced age, and after having produced a succession of flowers dies away. From the sap of the flowers Toddy and palm-sugar are prepared, like from the Cocos and Borassus Palm, occasionally as much as 12 gallons of Toddy being obtained from one tree in a day. The fibre

of the leaf-stalks can be manfactured into very strong ropes, also into baskets, brushes and brooms. The outer wood of the stem serves for turnery.

Cassia acutifolia, Delile.

Indigenous or now spontaneous in Northern and tropical Africa and South-west Asia. Perennial. The merely dried leaflets constitute part of the Alexandrian and also Tinne- velly Senna. In Victoria it will be only in the warmest northern and eastern regions, where Senna can perhaps be cultivated to advantage.

Cassia angustifolia, Vahl.

Northern Africa and South-western Asia, indigenous or cul- tivated. Perennial. Yields Mecca-Senna.

Cassia Marylandica, L.

An indigenous Senna plant of the United States of North America. Perennial.

Cassia obovata, Colladon.

South-west Asia ; widely dispersed through Africa as a native or disseminated plant. Perennial. Part of the Alexandrian and also Aleppo Senna is derived from this species. Several of the Australian desert Cassias of the group of C. artemisioides may also possess purgative pro- perties. The odor of their foliage is almost that of Senna.

Catha edulis, Forskoel.

Arabia and Eastern Africa. The leaves of this shrub under the designation Kafta or Cat are used for a tea of a very stimulating effect, to some extent to be compared to that of Erythroxylon Coca. To us here the plant would be mainly valuable for medicinal purposes.

Cedronella cordata, Bentham.

United States of North America. A perennial herb, fragrant like the foregoing.

Cedronella triphylla, Moench.

Madeira and Canary Islands. A shrubby plant with highly scented foliage. The volatile oil obtainable from it resem- bles that of Melissa, but is somewhat camphoric.

Cephaelis Ipecacuanha, Richard.

Brazil in woods of mountains, consociated with Palms and Tern-trees. It is not unlikely, that this herb, which is perennial and yields the important medicinal Ipecacuanha root, would live in our warmer forest regions, such as those of East G-ipps Land. Active principles : Emetin and Ipeca- cuanha-acid.

4 Ceroxylon andicola, Humboldt.

The Wax-palm of New Granada, ascending the Andes to 11,000 feet. One of the most majestic and at the same time one of the most hardy of all palms, attaining occa- sionally a height of 180 feet. The trunk exudes a kind of resinous wax, about 25 Ibs. being obtainable at a time from each stem ; this by admixture to tallow is used for candles. There are several other andine palms, which could be reared in our forests or in sheltered positions at our dwellings, but some of them are not even yet phytographically circum- scribed.

Cervantesia toxnentosa, Ruiz and Pavon.

Eorest-inountains of Peru. This tree yields edible seeds. It is likely to prove hardy in our lower forest regions.

Chaerophylluxn bulbosum, Linne.

Middle Europe and Western Asia. The Parsnip- Chervil. A biennial herb. The root a good culinary esculent.

Chaerophyllum sativum, Lamarck.

(Anthriscus Cerefolium, Hoffm.)

The Chervil. Middle and South Europe, Western Asia. An annual herb, available for salads and condiments, but the root deleterious.

Chamaerops excelsa, Thunberg.

South China. This fan-palm is highly desirable, although not tall as the name would indicate.

&. Chamaerops Fortune!, Hooker.

North China. The Chusan-palm. It attains a height of about 12 feet and endures like the following species con- siderable frost. The leaves can be employed for plaiting

29

palm-hats. Other hardy palms might be naturalized and used for various purposes, irrespective of their ornamental features.

* Chamaerops humilis, Linn6.

The dwarf Fan-Palm of South Europe and North Africa. It is very decorative for garden plantations, particularly also eligible for scenic effect.

v Chamaerops Hystrix, Eraser.

The Blue Palmetto of Florida and Carolina. Another dwarf Fan-Palm.

Chamaerops Martiana, Wallich.

Ascends the mountains of Nepaul to 5000 feet. Attains a height of 50 feet and is altogether a noble object.

Chamaerops Eichieana, Griffith.

Arid mountains of Affghanistan. Has also proved hardy even in England.

Chelidonium majus, L.

Europe and "Western Asia. The Celandine. A perennial herb of medicinal value. Chemical principles : Chelerythrin and Chelidonin ; also a yellow pigment : Chelidoxanthin.

Chenopodium ambrosioides, L.

Tropical America. An annual medicinal herb. Chenopo- dium anthelminticum is a perennial variety of this species.

Chenopodium auricomum, Lindley.

From the Darling Eiver to Carpentaria and Arnhem's Land. A tall perennial herb, furnishing a nutritious and palatable spinage. It will live in arid desert regions.

Chenopodium Quinoa, Willdenow.

From New Granada to Chili. A large-leaved quick-growing annual species, cultivated for the sake of its amylaceous seeds, but perhaps of more value as a culinary vegetable.

Cicer arietinum, L.

South Europe and Orient. The Gram. An annual herb, valuable as a pulse for pasture animals. The seeds can also be converted into peameal or be used otherwise for culinary purposes.

30

Cichorium Endivia, L.

South Europe, Orient, Middle Asia. A biennial plant, used since ancient times as a culinary vegetable.

Cichorium Intybus, L.

Chicory. A well-known perennial plant, indigenous to Europe, North Africa and Worth and West Asia. The roots can be used as a substitute for Coffee. This plant requires a rich deep loamy soil, but fresh manure is detrimental to the value of the root. It is also a good fodder-plant espe- cially for sheep. The root can also be dressed and boiled for culinary purposes. The leaves useful for salad.

Cimicifuga racemosa, Elliot.

The Black Snake-root of North America. A perennial herb of medicinal value, the root possessing emetic properties.

Cinchona Calisaya, Ruiz.*

Yellow Perubark-tree. Andes of Peru and Bolivia, 5-6000 feet above the ocean. This tree attains a height of 40 feet. It yields the yellow bark, and also part of the crownbark. It is one of the richest yielder of quinin, and produces besides Cinchonidin.

Cinchona micrantha, Ruiz and Pavon.

Cordillieres of Bolivia and Peru. This tree attains a height of 60 feet, and from it part of the Grey and Huanuco Bark as well as Lima Bark are obtained. It is comparatively rich in Cinchonin and Quinidin, contains however also Quinin.

Cinchona nitida, Ruiz and Pavon.

Andes of Peru and and Ecuador. This tree rises to 80 feet under favorable circumstances. It also yields G-rey Bark and Huanuco Bark, besides Loxa Bark. It will probably prove one of the hardiest species. It contains predominantly Cinchonin and Quinidin.

Cinchona officinalis, L. (partly.)*

(Cinchona Condaminea, Humboldt)

Andes of New Grenada and Peru, at a height of 6000 to 10,000 feet. Yields Crown or Brown Peru Bark, besides part of Loxa Bark. Comparatively rich in Quinin and

31

Cinchonidin. The temperature of the middle regions of the Andes, where this tree grows, is almost the same as that of the Canary Islands. Superabundance of moisture is par- ticularly to this species pernicious. The Crispilla variety endures a temperature occasionally as low as 27° F.

Cinchona clancifolia Mutis is considered by Weddell a variety of C. officinalis. This grows on places, where the mean annual temperature is that of Rome, with however less extremes of heat and cold. It yields part of the Pitaya- Bark.

Cinchona Pitayensis must also be referred to C. officinalis as a variety. This attains a height of 60 feet and fur. nishes also a portion of the Pitaya Bark. It is this partic- ular Cinchona, which in Upper India yielded in some instances the unprecedented quantity of 11 per cent, alkaloids, nearly 6 per cent. Quinin, the rest Quinidin and Cinchonin.

In Java some of the best results were obtained with Cin- chona Hasskarliana Miq., a species seemingly as yet not critically identified.

Cinchona succirubra, Pavon.*

Middle andine regions of Peru and Ecuador. A tree, attaining a height of 40 feet, yielding the red Peru-Bark, rich in Quinin and Cinchonidin. It is this species, which is predominantly cultivated on the mountains of Bengal. All these Chinchonas promise to become of importance for cul- ture in the warmest regions of our forest-land, on places not readily accessible or eligible for cereal culture. The Peru- vian proverb that Cinchona trees like to be "within sight of snow" gives some clue of the conditions, under which they thrive best. They delight in the shelter of forests, where there is an equable temperature, no frost, some humidity at all times both in air and soil, where the ground is deep and largely consists of the remnants of decayed vegetable sub- stances and where the subsoil is open. Drippage from shelter-trees too near will be hurtful to the plants. Closed valleys and deep gorges, into which cold air will sink, are also not well adapted for cinchona- culture. In our Colony we ought to consociate the Perubark-plants with naturally

32

growing fern-trees but only in our warmest valleys of richest soil. The best temperature for Cinchonas is from 53° to 66° F.; but they mostly will endure in open places a mini- mum of 32° F. j in the brush shades of the Botanic Garden of Melbourne, where years ago already Cinchonas were raised by the thousands, they have even resisted uninjured a temperature of a few degrees less, wherever the wind had no access, while under such very slight cover the Cinchonas withstood also a heat of a few degrees over 100° F. The plants are most easily raised from seeds, best under some cover such as mats and they are seeding copiously already several years after planting. The contents of alkaloids in the bark can be much increased by artificial treatment, if the bark is only removed on ; one side of the stem and the denuded part covered with moss, under which in one year as much bark is formed as otherwise requires three years' growth, such forced bark moreover containing the astound- ing quantity of as much as 25 alkaloids, because no loss of these precious substances takes place by gradual disin- tegration through age. The Cinchona-plants are set out at distances of about 6 feet. The harvest of bark begins in the fourth or fifth year. The price varies in Europe from 2s. to 9s. per Ib. according to quality. The limits assigned to this small literary compilation do not admit of entering further into details on this occasion, but I may yet add, that in the Darjeeling district over three millions of Cinchona plants were in cultivation in 1869, raised in Government plantations.

Citrus Aurantium, L.*

The Orange (in the widest sense of the word) . A native of South Asia. A tree of longevity, known to have attained an age of 600 years and more. Any specific differences, to distinguish C. Aurantium from C. rnedica, if they once existed, are obliterated now through hybridisation at least in the cultivated forms. As prominent varieties of C. Aurantium may be distinguished :—

Citrus Higaradia, Duhamel. The Bitter Orange. This fur- nishes from its flowers the Neroli Oil so delicious and costly

33

as a scent. It is stated, that Orange-flowers to the value of £50 might be gathered from the plants of an acre within a year. The rind of the fruit is used for candied orange-peel. Bitter principle : Hesperidin in the rind, Limonin in the seed.

Citrus dulcis, Volkamer. The Sweet Orange, of which many kinds occur. The St. Michael Orange has been known to bear in the Azores on sheltered places 20,000 fruits on one tree in a year. Neroli Oil is obtained from the flowers of this and allied varieties.

Citrus Bergamium, Eisso. From the fruit-rind of this variety Bergarnotte Oil is obtained, but also oil from the flowers. The Mellaroea variety furnishes a superior oil and exquisite confitures.

Citrus decumana, Linne. The Shaddock or Pompelmos. The fruit will exceptionally attain a weight of 20 Ibs. The pulp and thick rind can both be used for preserves.

Citrus noltilis, Loureiro. The Mandarin-Orange. The thin peel separates most readily from the deliciously flavored sweet pulp. There are large and small fruited Mandarin Oranges ; the Tangerine variety is one of them.

Citrus medica, Linne.*

The Citron (in the widest sense of the word). Indigenous to Southern Asia. For convenience's sake it is placed here as distinct from the preceding species. As prominent varieties of the Citrus medica may be distinguished : —

Citrus Cedra, Gallesio. The real Citron. From the acid tubercular fruit essential oil and citric acid can be obtained, irrespective of the ordinary culinary use of the fruit. A large variety with thick rind furnishes candied the Citrionate or Succade. The Cedra oil comes from a particular variety.

Citrus Limonium, Eisso. The real Lemon. From the fruit of this is largely pressed the Lemon juice, while the thin smooth aromatic peel serves for the production of volatile oil or for condiments. The juice of this fruit is particularly rich in citric acid. A large variety is the Eosaline Lemon.

34

Citrus Lumia, Bisso. The sweet Lemon, including the Pear- Lemon with large pear-shaped fruit. Bind thick and pale ; pulp not acid. This variety serves for particular condi- ments.

Citrus Limetta, Eisso. The real Lime. The best lime-juice is obtained from this variety, of which the Perette constitute a form.

Citrus Australasica, F. von Mueller.

Coast forests of extra-tropic East Australia. A shrubby species with oblong or almost cylindrical fruits of lemon-like taste, measuring 2 to 4 inches in length. They are thus very much larger than those of Atalantia glauca of the coast and the desert-interior of tropic Australia, which are also of similar taste, These plants are entered together with the following on this list, merely to draw attention to them, as likely capable of improvement of their fruit through cul- ture.

Citrus Planchoni, F. von Mueller.

(C. Australis, Planchon, partly.)

Porests near the coast of sub-tropic East Australia. A noble tree, fully 40 feet high with globular fruits about the size of a walnut, called Native Oranges. The species has first appeared under the above name in the " Report on the Vegetable Products of the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1867."

CitrUS Japonica, Thunberg.

The Kumquat of Japan. A shrubby Citrus with fruits of the size of a Gooseberry, from which on account of their sweet peel and acid pulp an excellent preserve can be pre- pared.

Cochlearia Armoracia, L.

The Horseradish. Middle Europe and Western Asia. Perennial, The volatile oil of the root allied to that of Mustard.

Oochlearia officinalis, L.

Shores of Middle and North Europe, North Asia and North America, A biennial herb, like the allied C. Anglica and

35

C. Danica valuable as an antiscorbutic ; hence deserving naturalization. It contains a peculiar volatile oil.

Coffea Arabica, L.

Mountains of South-west Abyssinia. The Coffee-plant. This shrub or small tree has been admitted into this list not without great hesitation, merely not to be passed. The cultivation within Victorian boundary can only with any prospect of success be tried in the warmest and simul- taneously moistest regions, such as East Gipps Land, frost being detrimental to the Coffee-plant. In Ceylon the Coffee regions are between 1000 and 5000 feet above the ocean, but Dr. Thwaites observes that the plant succeeds best at an elevation from 3000 to 4500 feet, in places where there is a rainfall of about 100 inches a year. The temperature there rises hardly ever above 80° P., and almost never sinks below 45° P. Coffee requires moist weather whilst it ripens its fruit, and a season of drier weather to form its wood. For further particulars see the papers of the Planters' Association of Kandy. Chemical principles : Coffein, a peculiar tannic acid and Quina acid.

Colchicum auctumnale, L-

Middle and South Europe, West Asia. The Meadow Safron. The seeds and roots of this pretty bulbous-tuberous herb are important for medicinal use. The plant has heen intro- duced by the writer with a view of being cultivated on moist meadows in our ranges. Active principle : Colchicin.

Colocasia antiquorum, Schott.

Prom Egypt through South Asia to the South Sea Islands, apparently also indigenous in the warmer parts of East Australia. The Taro. The stem-like tuberous starchy roots lose their acridity by the process of boiling, roasting or baking. The plant proved hardy in the Botanic Garden of Melbourne. The tops of the tubers are replanted for a new crop. Taro requires a rich moist soil and would grow well on banks of rivers. Por scenic culture it is a very decorative plant. Colocasia esculenta is a variety of this species.

36

ColOCasia Indica, Kunth. (Alocasia, Indica, Scliott.)

South Asia, South Sea Islands and East Australia. Culti- vated for its stem and tubers on swamps or rivulets. This stately plant will rise in favorable localities to a height of 12 feet, the edible trunk attaining a considerable thickness, the leaves sometimes measuring 3 feet in length. In using the stem and root for food great care is needed to expel by the heating process all acridity. Colocasia odora and C. macrorrhiza seem varieties of this species. Several other Aroid plants deserve attention for test-culture on account of their edible roots, among them Cyrtosperma edulis, Seemann, from the Feegee Islands.

Conium maculatum, L.

The Hemlock. Europe, North Africa, North and West Asia. A biennial herb, important for medicinal purposes. It should however not be allowed to stray from its planta- tions, as it is apt to be confounded with culinary species of Anthriscus, Chaerophyllum and Myrrhis^ and may thus cause as a most dangerous plant disastrous mistakes. Active principles : Coniin, in the fruit also Conhydrin.

Conopodium denudatum, Koch.

Western Europe. The small tuberous roots of this herb, when boiled or roasted, are available for food and known as Earth Chesnuts. The plant is allied to Carum Bulbocasta- num.

Convolvulus floridus, L. fil.

Canary Island. A shrubby not climbing or winding species. With the following it yields the Atlantic Eosewood from stem and root.

Convolvulus scoparius, k. fil.

Teneriffe. One of the Rosewood plants.

Convolvulus Scammonia, L.

Mediterranean regions and Asia Minor. A perennial herb. From the root is obtained the purgative resin Scam- monia.

37 Corchorus capsularis, L.*

From India to Japan. One of the principal Jute plants. An annual, attaining a height of about a dozen feet, when closely grown, with almost branchless stem. A nearly allied but lower plant, Corckorus Ounningliami, F. v. Mueller, occurs in tropical and subtropical East Australia. Jute can be grown where cotton and rice ripen, be it even in localities comparatively cold in the winter, if the summer's warmth is long and continuous. The fibre is separated by steeping the full grown plant in water from five to eight days, and it is largely used for rice and cotton bags, carpets and other similar textile fabrics, and also for ropes. About 60,000 tons are annually exported from India to England, and a large quantity also to the United States. Jute is sown on good land, well ploughed and drained, but requires no irri - gation, although it likes humidity. The crop is obtained in the course of four or five months, and is ripe when the flowers turn into fruit capsules. Q-ood paper is made from the refuse of the fibre.

Corchorus olitorius, L.*

South Asia and North Australia. Furnishes, with the fore- going species, the principal supply of Jute fibre. As it also is an annual, it can be brought to perfection in our summers. The foliage can be used for spinage. The fibre is not so strong as hemp, but very easily prepared. It will not endure exposure to water. The allied Corclwrus trilocularis, L., of Indian origin, is likewise a native of eastern tropical and subtropical Australia.

/ Cordyline Banksii, J. Hooker.

New Zealand. This lax and long leaved palm-lily attains a height of 10 feet ; its stem is usually undivided. This and the following species have been admitted into this list for a double reason, because not only are they by far the hardiest, quickest growing and largest of the genus, and thus most sought in horticultural trade for scenic planting ; but also because they furnish from the leaves a superior fibre for ropes and other purposes. The small seeds are produced in great abundance, and germinate with extreme

38

readiness. These Palm-lilies ought to be naturalized in our ranges by mere dissemination.

Cordyline Forsteri, F. v. Mueller.

(C. Australia, J. Hooker, not Endlicher.)

New Zealand. The stem of this noble thin-leaved plant attains a height of 40 feet, and is branched.

Cordyline indivisa, Kunth.

New Zealand. The stem of this thick and rigid-leaved palm-like species rises to a height of 20 feet, and remains undivided. Leaves finally 5 inches broad ; yield the Toi- fibre.

Cordyline Baueri, J. Hooker.

((?. Australis, Endlicher, not J. Hooker.) Norfolk Island. The stem of this stately species attains a height of 40 feet, and becomes in age ramified. It is very intimately allied to the New Zealand Cordyline Porsteri.

Coriandrum sativum, L.

Orient and Middle Asia. An annual or biennial herb, much in use for condiments. The essential oil peculiar.

Corynosicyos edlllis. (Cladosicyos edulis, J. Hooker.)

Ghiinea. A new cucumber-like plant, with edible fruits about 1 foot long, and 3 inches in diameter.

Crambe maritima, L.

Sea Kale. Sand coasts of Europe and North Africa. A perennial herb ; the young shoots used as a wholesome and agreeable vegetable.

Crambe Tataria, Wulfen.

From Southern Europe to the Orient. Perennial. Like- wise used for culinary purposes.

CrataegUS aestivalis, Torrey and Gray.

The Apple Haw. Southern States of North America. The small juicy fruit of an agreeable acid taste.

Crataegus apiifolia, Michaux.

North America. Highly serviceable for hedges.

39

Crataegus coccinea, L.

North American Whitethorn. A valuable hedge plant ; also very handsome. Spines strong.

Crataegus cordata, Aiton.

Southern States of North America. Also much employed for hedges.

Crataegus Crus-Galli, L.

North America. The Cockspur Thorn. Regarded as one of the best species for hedges. Spines long and stout.

Crataegus Oxyacantha, L,

Europe, North Africa, North and West Asia. The ordinary Hawthorn or "Whitethorn. Recorded here as one of the most eligible among deciduous hedge plants.

Crataegus parvifolia, Aiton.

North America. For dwarf hedges. Spines long, slender, sharp and numerous.

Crataegus pyracantha, Persoon.

The Firethorn. South Europe. This species is evergreen. It is likewise adapted for hedges, but slower in growth than Hawthorn, but not difficult to rear.

Crataegus tomentosa, L.

North America. Fruit edible. By the species mentioned the list of American Hedgethorns is, probably, not yet exhausted.

Crithmum maritinmm, L.

The real Samphir. Sea shores of Middle and South Europe, North Africa and the Orient. A perennial herb. Settlers on the coast might readily disseminate and naturalize it. It is held to be one of the best plants for pickles, the young leaves being selected for that purpose.

Crocus sativus, L.

The Dye-Safron. South Europe and Orient. The Stigmata of this particular autumnal flowering Crocus constitute the costly dye substance. The best is collected from the flowers, just as they daily open in succession. At our stage

40

of colonisation it would not be remunerative to grow Safron commercially ; but as the plant is well adapted for our clime, it might be planted out into various unoccupied moun- tain localities, with a final view to naturalize it, and to render it thus available at a later period from native sources .

Crotalaria juncea, L.

The Sunn Hemp. Indigenous to South Asia, and also widely dispersed through tropical Australia. An annual herb, rising under favourable circumstances to a height of 10 feet. In our colony Sunn can only be cultivated in the warmest and rnoistest localities. It comes in four or five months to maturity. The plant can also be grown as a fodder-herb for cattle. It requires rich friable soil. If a superior soft fibre is desired, then the plant is pulled while in flower ; if strength is the object, then the plant is left standing until it has almost ripened its seeds. The steeping process occupies about three days. For the purpose of obtaining branchless stems it is sown closely.

Crotalaria retusa, L.

Asia, America and Australia within the tropics. A peren- nial herb. Its fibre resembles that of C. juncea, and is chiefly used for ropes and canvas. Others of the multitu- dinous species of Crotalaria deserve to be tested for their fibres.

Crozophora tinctoria, Necker.

South Europe, North Africa and Orient. An annual herb. The turnsole-dye is prepared by exposure of the juice to the air, or by treating it with Ammonia.

Cucumis cicatrisatus, Stocks.

Scinde, where it is called "Wungee." The edible ovate fruit is about 6 inches long.

Cucumis Citrullus, Seringe.

{Citrullus vulyaris, Schrader.)

Mediterranean regions. The Water-Melon. It is simply mentioned here, to indicate the desirability .of naturalizing it in the interior-deserts, where no Cucurbita and only a

41

single kind of edible Cucumis (0. acidus, Jacquin), with fruits not larger than a pigeon's egg, is indigenous. In South African deserts it has become spontaneously esta- blished, and retained the characters of the cultivated fruit.

Cucumis Colocynthis, L.

(Citrullus ColocyntTiis, Schrader.)

From the Mediterranean regions to India. An annual herb. The medicinal extract of Colocynth is prepared from the small gourd of this species. Active principle : Colo- cyiithin.

Cucumis Conomon, Thunberg.

Japan. An annual. The large fruit is used for pre- serves.

Cucumis Melo, L.

The Melon. Originally from the country about the Caspian Sea. The best varieties might also be naturalized in our sand-deserts, particularly on places where some moisture collects. Some of the Bokhara varieties are remarkably luscious and large. Apparently remunerative results have been gained in Belgium from experiments to cultivate Melons for sugar and treacle. The seeds, thus obtained in quantity, become available for oil-pressing. The root con- tains Melonemetin.

Cucumis Momordica, Eoxburgh.

Cultivated in India. It produces Cucumbers 2 feet long, bursting slowly when ripe into several divisions. Young the fruit is used like Cucumbers, aged like Melons.

Cucumis sativus, L.

The Cucumber. Egypt. Indicated here merely for com- pleteness' sake, also because Gherkin pickling ought to become a more extended local industry.

Cucumis utilissimus, Eoxburgh.

Mountains of Bengal. An annual like the other species. Fruit of the size and shape of an ostrich's egg with the flavor of Melons. These fruits will keep for several months.

4:2

Cucurbita maxima, Duchesne.

Large Grourd. Turkey. Instances are on record of fruits having weighed over 2 cwt. Also this species is eligible for naturalization in the interior. Amongst other purposes it serves for calabashes.

Cucurbita Melopepo, L.

The Squash. May be regarded as a variety of C. Pepo. It will endure storage for months.

Cucurbita moschata, Duchesne.

The Musky Grourd. Doubtless also from the Orient.

Cucurbita Pepo, L.

The Pumpkin and Vegetable Marrow. Countries on the Caspian Sea. Its naturalization in the desert would be a boon. The seeds on pressure yield a fixed oil ; they are also anthelmintic. 0. melanosperma, A. Braun, is not edible.

Cuminum Cyminum, L.

North Africa. The fruits of this annual herb are known as Cumin and used for certain condiments, as also in medicine. Cuminum Rispanicum, Merat, is similar. Essential oil peculiar.

Cycas revoluta, Thunberg.

The Japan Fern-palm. The trunk attains in age a height of about 6 feet, and is rich in sago-like starch. The slow growth of this plant renders it to us valuable for no other purpose than scenic decorative culture. Cycas angulata, B. Br., may also prove hardy, and would prove a noble horticultural acquisition, as it is the most gigantic of all Cycadese, attaining a height of 70 feet in tropical East Aus- tralia. Possibly like the Zamia stems also the trunks of Cycas admit of translocation even at an advanced age.

Cynara Cardunculus, L.

The Cardoon. Mediterranean regions. A perennial herb. The bleached leaf-stalks serve as esculents.

Cynara Scolymus, L.

The Artichoke. South Europe and North Africa. The receptacles and the base of the flower scales well known as

43

a vegetable. The plant is perennial and here merely men- tioned as entitled to extended culture in grouping this with other stately plants. Several other species are worthy of cultivation.

Cynosurus cristatus, L.

The Crested Dogstail-Grass. Europe, North Africa, "West Asia. A perennial grass, particularly valuable as with- standing drought, the roots penetrating to considerable depth. The stems can also be used for bonnet plaiting. Though inferior in value for hay this grass is well adapted for permanent pasture, as it forms a dense turf without suffocating other grasses or fodder-herbs.

Cyperus corymbosus, Rottboell.

India. This stately perennial species may be chosen to fringe our lakes and ponds. It is extensively used for mats in India.

Cyperus Papyrus, L.

The Nile Papyrus. Though no longer strictly an utilitarian plant, as in ancient times, it could scarcely be passed on this occasion, as it ought to become valuable in horticultural trade. Its grand aspect recommends it as very decorative for aquatic plantations.

Cyperus Syriacus, Parlatore.

The Syrian or Sicilian Papyrus. This is the Papyrus-plant usual in garden cultivation. The plants in our Botanic Garden attain a height of 8 feet, but suffer somewhat from frost. Other tall Cyperi deserve introduction, for instance C. giganteus, Eottboell, from West India and Ghiiana, these kinds of plants being hardier than others from the tropics. I have not ventured to recommend the introduction of Cyperus esculentus, L., a Mediterranean species, remarkable for its sweet tubers, known as Earth Almonds. It is stolo- niferous like the allied Cyperus rotundus, L., which has invaded the culture ground of many countries as an obnoxious irrepressible weed. The tubers of Cyperus esculentus con- tain about 16 per cent. oil.

44

Cyperus vaginatus, B. Brown.

Widely dispersed over the Australian continent, but not yet noticed in Tasmania and New Zealand. It is restricted to swanipy localities, and thus is not likely to stray into ordinary fields. It is our best indigenous fibre-plant, and it is likewise valuable as being witJi ease converted into pulp for good writing paper, as shown by me some years ago. Its perennial growth allows of regular annual cutting. "Within Victorian territory this Graliugale-rush is particu- larly common on the Murray-flats.

CytisUS SCOparillS, Link. (Spartium scoparium, L.)

The Broom-bush. Europe, North Asia. Of less significance as a broon plant than as one of medicinal value. It can also be used for tanning purposes. An alkaloid (Spartein) and a yellow dye (Scoparin) are obtainable from this Broom- bush.

Dactylis caespitosa, Forster. (Poa Forsteri, Steudel.)

Euegia, Ealklands Island, South Patagonia. The Tussock- grass. Thrives in cold countries near the sea in pure sand, at the edge of peat-bogs. It would likely prosper in our alpine moors. It is perennial, and reaches to a height of 7 feet. It is very nutritious, and much sought by herds. The base of the stem is nutty and edible.

Dactylis glomerata, L.*

Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. The Cocksfoot-grass. Perennial. One of the best of tall pas- ture grasses, adapted as well for dry as moist soil, thus even available for wet clays. It will live also under the shade of trees in forests. Its yield of fodder is rich and continuous, but its stems are hard. It is already largely cultivated, and has become naturalized.

Daucus Carota L.

Europe, North Africa, extra-tropic Asia east to Japan. The Carrot. Admits of naturalization along our shores. Beyond the ordinary culinary utilization it serves for the distillation of a peculiar oil. The chemical ' substances Carotin and Hydrocarotin are derived from it.

45

Digitalis purpurea, L.

Greater part of Europe. The Fox-glove. A biennial and exceedingly beautiful herb of great medicinal value, easily raised. Chemical principles : Digitalin, Digitaletin and three peculiar acids.

Dioscorea aculeata, L.*

The Kaawi-Yam. India, Cochin- China, South Sea Islands. Stem prickly, as the name implies, not angular. Leaves alternate, undivided. It ripens later than the following species, and requires no reeds for staking. It is propagated from small tubers. This Yam is of a sweetish taste, and the late Dr. Seemann regarded it as one of the finest esculent roots of the globe. A variety of a blueish hue, cultivated in Central America (for instance at Caracas), is of very delicious taste. In the warmest parts of our colony this and the following species are likely to come to perfection.

Dioscorea alata, L.*

The TJvi-Yam. India and South Sea Islands. The sterna are four-angled and not prickly. The tubers, of which there are many varieties, will attain under favorable circum- stances a length of 8 feet, and the prodigious weight of one hundred pounds ! This species, and the preceding one, are the two principal kinds cultivated in tropical countries. D. alata is in culture supported by reeds. It is propagated from pieces of the old root, and comes in warm climes to perfection in about seven months. The tubers may be baked or boiled. It is this species, which has been successfully cul- tivated in New Zealand, and also in the Southern States of North America.

Dioscorea globosa, Roxburgh.

India. Eoxburgh states this to be the most esteemed Yam in Bengal.

Dioscorea hastifolia. Nees.

Extra-tropic Western Australia, at least as far south as 32°. It is evidently one of the hardiest of the Yams, and on that

46

account deserves particularly to be drawn into culture. The tubers are largely consumed by the aborigines for food ; it is the only plant on which they bestow any kind of cultivation, crude as it is.

Dioscorea Japonica, Thunberg.* (D. Batatas, Decaisne.)

The hardy Chinese and Japan Yam. This species, which is not prickly, has been cultivated some years in our Botanic Garden. The material here for comparison is not complete, but seems to indicate, that D. transversa, E. Br. and D. punctata, E. Br., are both referable to D. Japonica. If this assumption should prove correct, then we have this Yam along the coast tracts of North and East Australia as far south as latitude 33°. In Australia we find the wild root of good taste.

Dioscorea nummularia, Lamarck.

The Tivoli Yam. Continental and Insular India, also South Sea Islands. A high climbing prickly species, with opposite leaves. Eoots cylindrical as thick as an arm ; their taste exceedingly good.

Dioscorea oppositifolia, L.

India and China. Not prickly. One of the edible Yams.

Dioscorea pentaphylla, L.

Continental and Insular India, also South Sea Islands. Like- wise a good Yam. A prickly species, with alternate divided leaves.

Dioscorea purpurea, Eoxb.

India. In Bengal considered next best to D. alata.

Dioscorea sativa, L.

South Asia, east as far as Japan, also in the South Sea Islands, and North and tropical East Australia, likewise recorded from tropical Africa. Stem cylindrical, not prickly. The acrid root requires soaking before boiling. It has proved hardy in the Southern States of North America.

Dioscorea spicata, Roth.

India. Eoot used like those of other species.

47

Dioscorea tomentosa, Koenig.

Ooyala Yam. India. The nomenclature of some of the Asiatic species requires further revision.

Dioscorea trifida, L. fil.

Central America. One of the Tarns there cultivated. Various other tuberous Dioscorese occur in tropical countries ; but their respective degree of hardiness, taste and yield are not recorded or ascertained. The length of the Victorian warm season is probably sufficient for ripen- ing all these Yams.

Diospyros Kaki, L. fil.

The Date-plum of China and Japan. A slow growing not very productive tree, here recorded for completeness. The fruit is yellow or pink or dark purple, variable in size, but never larger than an ordinary apple. It has ripened at Sydney. D. Virginiana, L., has been recorded among the timber-trees.

Dipsacus fullonum, L.

Fuller's Teazel. Middle and South Europe and Middle Asia. A tall biennial herb. The thorny fruit-heads in use for fulling in cloth factories. The import during one of the last years into England was valued at £5000. The plant is most easily raised. The use of these Teazels has not yet been superseded by any adequate machinery.

Dolichos Lablab, !<•

Warmer parts of Africa; probably thence spread widely through the tropics. An annual herb, sometimes lasting through several years. The young pods as well as the ripe seeds available for culinary use, but not of all varieties. It delights in rich soil, and ripens in hot countries within three months ; its yield is about fortyfold according to Eoxburgh. The whole plant forms excellent stable-feed for cattle.

Dracocephalum Moldavica, L.

North and Middle Asia. An annual showy scent- herb.

48

Ecballion Elaterium, Bichard.

Mediterranean regions and Orient. The Squirting Cucumber. An annual. The powerful purgative Elaterium is prepared from the pulp of the fruit. Chemical principles : Elaterid, Elaterin, Hydroelaterin.

Ehrharta Diplax, F. v. Mueller.

(Microlaena avenacea, J. Hooker.)

New Zealand. This tall perennial grass is fond of wood' lands and deserves introduction. It is likely to prove a rich pasture-grass. A few other Australian species, particularly of the section Tetrarrhena, are readily accessible to us, and so indeed also the South African Ehrhartas, all adapted for our clime, the majority perennial and several of superior value. Ehrharta caudata, Munro, is indigenous in Japan.

Ehrharta Stipoides, Labillardiere.

Extra-tropic Australia, also New Zealand. A perennial grass, which keeps beautifully green all through the year. For this reason its growth for pasturage should be encouraged, particularly as it will live on poor soil. Mr. W. H. Bacchus, of Bacchus -Marsh, considers it nearly as valuable as Kangaroo- Grass, and in the cool season more so. He finds it to bear over-stocking better than any other native grass, and to maintain a close turf. It is however not always copiously seeding.

Eleusine Coracana, G-aertner.

Southern Asia, east to Japan. Though annual, this grass is worthy of cultivation on account of its height and nutri- tiveness. The large grains can be used like Millet.

Eleusine stricta, Eoxburgh.

India. The increase of grain of this annual grass in rich soil is at times five hundredfold. E. Tocusso, Fresenius, is a valuable kind from Abyssinia, seemingly allied to E. stricta. The Arabian and Himalaian E. flagellifera, Nees, is perennial. Other species of Eleusine are deserving of trial.

40

Elymus arenarius, L.*

The Sea Lyme-Grass. Europe and North Asia, on sand- coasts. One of the most important and vigorous of grasses for binding drift-sand on the sea shores. The North American E. inollis, Trinius, is allied to this species.

Elymus condensatus, Presl.

The Bunch- Grass of British Columbia and California. This is favorably known as adapted for sandland.

Ervum Lens, L. (Lens esculenta, Moench.)

Mediterranean regions, Orient. The Lentil. Annual, affording in its seeds a palatable and nutritious food.

Euclea myrtina, Burchell.

South Africa. Berry small, black, but edible. To us this plant would hardly be more than an ornamental bush.

Euclea undulata, Thunberg.

South Africa. Berry small, red, edible. Other shrubby species from the same portion of the globe yield also esculent fruits, which under superior culture may vastly improve.

Erythroxylon Coca, Lamarck.*

Peru. This shrub is famed for the extaraordinarily stimu- lating property of its leaves, which pass under the names of Spadic and Coca. They contain two alkaloids, Cocain and Hygrin, also a peculiar tannic acid. Whether any of the many other species of Erythroxylon possess similar pro- perties seems never yet to have been ascertained.

Eupatorium triplinerve, Vahl. (E. Ayapana, Yentenat.)

Central America. A perennial somewhat shrubby herb, possibly hardy in the warmer parts of our Colony. It is used as a medicinal plant, also as an alexipharmic. It con- tains Eupatorin and much essential oil, peculiar to the plant.

Fagopyrum cymosum, Meissner.

The perennial Buck-Wheat or rather Beech-Wheat of the Indian and Chinese Highlands.

50

Fagopyrum emarginatum, Babington.

Chinese and Himalaian Mountains, where it is cultivated for its seeds. Annual.

Fagopyrum esculentum, Moench.

Central Asia. The ordinary Buck- "Wheat. This annual herb succeeds on the poorest soil. The crushed amylaceous seeds can be converted by boiling or baking into a palatable and wholesome food. As au agrarian plant it can with advantage be raised as a first crop on sandy heath-land, newly broken up, for green manure. The period, required for the cyclus of its vegetation, is extremely short. Thus it can be reared on our higher Alps.

Fagopyrum Tataricum, Moench.

Middle and North Asia. Yields for the higher mountain regions a still safer crop than the foregoing, otherwise the remarks offered in reference to E. esculentum apply also to T. Tataricum.

Fagopyrum triangulare, Meissner.

In the Himalaian Mountains, ascending naturally to regions 11,500 feet high. An annual. F. rotundatum, Babington, seems a variety of this species. It is cultivated for food like the rest.

Festuca elatior, L.*

The Meadow Fescue. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. A perennial grass, attaining a height of several feet. There are several varieties of this species. The tallest follows rivers readily as far down as the tides reach. The ordinary form is well adapted for permanent pastures, has tender leaves, produces excellent hay and is early out in the season. It can be mixed advantageously with E. ovina. It is superior to ryegrass in produce and improves with age. F. arundinacea, Schreb., F. pratensis, Huds. and F. loliacea, Huds. are varieties of this species.

Festuca Hookeriana, F. v, Mueller.

Alps of Australia and Tasmania. A tall perennial grass, evidently nutritious, required to be tried for pastoral cul-

ture, and perhaps destined to become a meadow grass of colder countries.

Festuca ovina, L.

Sheep-Fescue. Europe, North and Middle Asia, North America, found also in South America and the Alps of Australia and New Zealand. This species like E. elatior is obtainable with facility. F. duriuscula, L. and F. nibra, L. are varieties. A perennial grass, thriving. on widely different soil, even moory and sandy ground. It yields a good pro- duce, maintains its virtue, resists drought, and is also well adapted for lawns and the swards of parks. The space does not admit of entering here into further details of the respective value of many species of Eestuca, which might advantageously be introduced from various parts of the globe for rural purposes.

Ficus Carica, L.*

Orient. The ordinary Eigtree. It attains an age of several hundred years. In our latitudes and clime a prolific tree. The most useful and at the same time the most hardy of about a thousand recorded species of Eicus. The extreme facility with which it can be propagated from cuttings, the resistance to heat, the comparatively early yield and easy culture recommend the Eigtree to be chosen, where it is an object to raise masses of tree-vegetation in widely treeless landscapes of the warmer zones. Hence the extensive plantations of this tree made in formerly woodless parts of Egypt ; hence the likelihood of choosing the Eig as one of the trees for extensive planting through favorable portions of our desert-wastes, where moreover the fruit could be dried with particular ease. Caprification is unnecessary, even in some instances injurious and objectionable. Two main-varieties may be distinguished, that which produces two crops a year and that which yields but one. The former includes the grey or purple Eig, which is the best, the white Eig and the golden Eig, the latter being the finest in appear- ance but not in quality. The main-variety, which bears only one crop a year, supplies the greatest quantity of Eigs for drying, among which the Marseillaise and Bellonne are

- V

:-_'• :

7 - -.---!. - :1

,.-

1 -.I

'. ' --1- '-

» i_

54

Gaultieria Shallon, Pursh.

North-western America. This handsome spreading bush would yield its pleasant edible berries in abundance, if planted on our snowy mountains, where it would likely become naturalized.

GaylllSSacia frondosa, Torrey and Gray.

The Blue Tangleberry of North America. A bush with deciduous foliage. Berry sweet.

Gaylussacia resinosa, Torrey and Gray.

The Black Huckleberry of North America. A dwarf shrub with deciduous leaves. It likes swampy woodlands, and thus would find ample space in our forest-ranges. Berry of pleasant taste. Perhaps some of the South American species produce also edible fruits.

Geitonoplesium cymosum, All. Cunningham.

Through the whole East Australian forests. It is mentioned here to draw attention to the fact, that special culture may convert this into an Asparagus plant, as Mr. P. O'Shanesy has found, that the young shoots offer a fair substitute for Asparagus

Genista monosperma, Lamarck.

Mediterranean regions. One of the best of broom-bushes for arresting sand-drift. G. sphaerocarpa, Lam., is of like use, and comes also from the Mediterranean Sea.

Gentiana lutea, L.

Sub-Alpine tracts of Middle and South Europe. A peren- nial most beautiful herb, yielding the medicinal G-entian- root. It could be easily raised in our higher mountains. Chemical principles : G-entian-bitter and G-entianin.

Gladiolus edulis, Burchell.

Interior of South Africa. The bulb-like roots are edible, and taste like chesnuts, when roasted.

Glycine hispida, Bentham. (Soja hispida, Moench.)

An annual herb of India, China and Japan. The beans are one of the main ingredients "of the condiment known as Soja. Glycine Soja, Siebold and Zuccarini, is said to be a distinct plant, but probably serving the same purpose.

55

Glycyrrhiza echinata, L.

South Europe and Orient. From the root of this herb at least a portion of the Italian Liquorice is prepared. The root is thicker than that of the following. The Russian Liquorice root is derived from this species. It is less sweet.

^ Glycyrrhiza glabra, L.

South Europe. The extract of the root of this herb consti- tutes the ordinary Liquorice. The plant grows here most vigorously. The liquorice is of some utility in medicine, but also used in Porter Breweries. Chemical principle : G-lycyrrhizin.

Gossypium arbor eum, L.*

The Tree- Cotton. India, Arabia. A tall perennial species, but not forming a real tree, yielding cotton in the first season already. Leaves long-lobed. Bracts with few teeth. Petals yellow or in age pink or purple. Seeds brown, dis- connected, after the removal of the cotton-fibre greenish- velvety. The cotton of long staple, but a variety occurs with short staple. The New Orleans Cotton (#. sanguineum, Hassk.,) belong to this species. Dr. Seemann connects also the ordinary G. herbaceum, L., as a variety with G. arboreum. The cotton-fibre is crisp, white, opaque, and not easily separable.

Gossypinm Barbadense, L.*

West India. Sea Island Cotton. Leaves long-lobed. Petals yellow. Seeds disconnected, black, after the removal of the cotton-fibre naked. The cotton of this species is very long, easily separable and .of a silky lustre. This species requires low-lying coast tracts for attaining to perfection. Perennial, and yielding like the rest a crop in the first season. Cultivated largely in the Southern States of North America, also in South Europe, North Africa, Queensland and various other countries.

Gossypium herbaceum, L.*

Scinde, Cabul and other parts of tropical and sub-tropical Asia, much cultivated in the Mediterranean countries.

56

Perennial. Leaves short-lobed. Petals yellow. Seeds dis- connected, after removal of the cotton-fibre grey-velvety. Distinguished and illustrated by Parlatore as a species, regarded by Seemann as a variety of G. arboreum. Staple longer than in the latter kind, white, opaque, not easily seceding. Even this species, though supposed to be herba- ceous, will attain a height of 12 feet. A variety with tawny fibre furnishes the Nankin Cotton.

Gossypium hirsutum, L.*

Upland or Short-staple Cotton. Tropical America, culti- vated most extensively in the United States, Southern European and many other countries. Perennial. Seeds brownish-green, disconnected, after the removal of the cotton- fibre greenish- velvety. Staple long, white, almost of a silky lustre, not easily separable. A portion of the Queensland Cotton is obtained from this species. It neither requires the coast tracts nor the highly attentive culture of Gr. Barbadense.

Gossypium religiosum, L.* (G. Peruvianum, CavanJ

Tropical South America. Kidney Cotton, Peruvian or Brazilian Cotton. Leaves long-lobed. Petals yellow. Seeds black, connected. The cotton is of a very long staple, white, somewhat silky and easily seceding from the seeds. A tawny variety occurs. This is the tallest of all cotton-bushes, and it is probably this species, which occurs in the valleys of the Andes as a small tree, bearing its cotton while frosts whiten the ground around.

Gossypium Taitense, Parlatore.

(6r. religiosum, Banks and Solander.)

In several islands of the Pacific Ocean. A shrub. Petals white. Seeds disconnected, glabrous after the removal of the fulvous cotton-fibre, which secedes not with readiness.

Gossypium tomentosum, Nuttall.*

(G. Sandvicense, Parlat. G. religiosum, A. Gray.) Hawaia. Perennial. Petals yellow. Seeds disconnected, after the removal of the tawny cotton-fibre fulvous- velvety, not easily parting with their cotton.

57

For limitation of species and varieties Parlatore's specie del cotoni (Florence, 1866,) and Todaro's asservazioni su cotone may be consulted ; information on culture may be sought in Porter's " Tropical Agriculturist " and in Mallet's work on " Cotton" (London, 1862).

There are many parts of our Colony, in which all these species of Gossypium could be cultivated, and where a fair or even prolific cotton crop may be obtained. Good cotton for instance has been produced on the Goulbourn Biver, the Loddon, the Avoca and the Murray Elvers, particularly in places where water could be applied. All cultivated kinds of Cotton-plants are either naturally perennials or become such in favorable climes, although they may be treated strictly as annuals. Some of them will indeed in particular instances grow to the height of 20 feet. The geographic parallels, between which cotton- culture is usually placed, are stretching in various girdles between the 36° N.L. and 36° S.L. The primary advantages of this important culture are : A return in a few months, comparatively easy field operations, simple and not laborious process of collect- ing the crop, and requirement of but little care in the use of the gin-machine in finally preparing the raw material for the market, the woolly covering of the seeds constituting the cotton of commerce. The oil obtained by pressure from the seeds is useful for various technic purposes, and the oil-cake can be used like most substances of similar kind for very fattening stable-feed. Sea Island Cotton was raised in splendid perfection in the northern parts of Vic- toria fully 15 years ago from seeds, extensively distributed by the writer ; but the want of cheap labor has hitherto militated against the extensive cultivation of the Cotton, and so also against the culture of Tea and many other indus- trial plants. Cotton having been raised far away from the influence of the sea-air, it would be worthy of attempts, to naturalize various kinds of Cotton in the oases of our deserts, irrespective of regular culture. Our native Gossy- pium of the interior produces no fibre, worth collecting. Cotton-plants have a predilection for gently undulating or sloping ground, with light soil and a moderate supply of

58

moisture. In the most favorable climes, such as that of Eeegee, Cotton produces flowers and fruits throughout the year, but the principal ripening falls in the dry season. Erom 200 to 300 plants or more can be placed on an acre. As many as 700 pods have been gathered from a single plant at one time, 12 to 20 capsules yielding an ounce of mercantile cotton. Weeding is rendered less onerous by the vigorous growth of the plants. Cotton comes well in for rotation of crops. Major Clarke has aseertained that crossing cannot be effected between the Oriental and Occi- dental kinds of cotton. A high summer temperature is needed for a prolific cotton harvest. Intense heat, under which even maize will suifer, does not injuriously affect cotton, provided the atmosphere is not dry in the extreme. The soil should not be wet, but of a kind that naturally absorbs and retains humidity, without over saturation. In arid regions it is necessary to irrigate the cotton-plant. Heavy rains at the ripening period are injurious if not destructive to the Cotton crop. Dry years produce the best returns, yet aqueous vapour in the air is necessary for the best yield. In colder localities the balls or capsules continue to ripen after the frosts prevent the formation of new ones. Porous soils resting on limestones and meta- morphic rocks are eminently adapted for cotton culture. The canebrake soil of the North American cotton regions absorbs ammonia to a prodigous extent.

Guadua angustifolia, Kunth.

(Bambusa Guadua, Humboldt and Bonpland.) New GTranada, Ecuador and probably others of the Central American States. This Bamboo attains a height of 40 feet, and might prove hardy in sheltered places of our lowlands.

Guadua latifolia, Kunth.

(Bamlusa latifolia, Humb. and Bonpl.) One of the tall Bamboos of Central America, from whence several other lofty Bamboos may be obtained, among them the almost climbing Chusqueas. This Gradua is stouter than any Indian Bamboo. In tropical America native Bamboos are planted for hedges.

59

Guizotia oleifera, Candolle.

India and probably also Abyssinia. The Kamtil oil is pressed from the seeds of this annual herb, which yields its crop in three months. The oil is much used like SesanmTn oil, as well for culinary as technic pur- poses.

Hedeoma pulegioides, Persoon.

The Pennyroyal of North America. An annual herb of aromatic taste, employed in medicine.

Hedysarum coronarium, L.*

The Soola Clover. South Europe. One of the best of perennial fodder-herbs. It carries with it also the recom- mendation of being extremely handsome.

Helianthus animus, L.*

The Sunflower. Peru. This tall showy and large-flowered annual is not without industrial importance. As much as 50 bushels of seeds or rather seed-like nutlets have been obtained from an acre under very favorable circumstances, and as much as 50 gallons of oil can be pressed from such a crop. The latter can be used not only for machinery, but even as one of the best for the table. Otherwise the seeds afford an excellent fodder for fowl. The stalks furnish a good textile fibre and the blossoms yield a brilliant lasting yellow dye. About 6 Ibs. of seeds are required for an acre. The plant likes calcareous soil. Several allied North American species deserve perhaps rural culture. The return from a Sunflower field is attained within a few months.

Helianthus tuber osus, L.

Brazil. Sunflower Artichoke. Inappropriately passing under the name Jerusalem Artichoke. The tubers are saccharine and serve culinary purposes. The stem is rich in textile fibre. The percentage of crystalline sugar is largest during the cold season, namely 5-6/100. During the summer the starch-like Inulin prevails. This plant can only be brought to full perfection in a soil rich in potash.

60

Heliotropium Peruvianum, L.

Andes of South America. A perennial somewhat shrubby plant. Among various species of Heliotrop this one can best be utilized for the distillation of the scented oil.

HeUeborus niger, L.

Forest mountains of Middle and South Europe. The Christmas Rose of British gardens. A perennial handsome herb. The roots are used in medicine.

Hibiscus cannabinus, L. (H. radiatus, Cavanill.)

Tropical Asia, Africa and Australia. An annual showy herb. The stem yields a hemp -like fibre ; the leaves serve as sorrel-spinage. Several other Hibisci can be utilized in the same manner.

Hibiscus esculentus, L.

West India and Central America. A tall herb. The muci- laginous seed-capsules are known as Ochro, Bandakai or Grobbo, and used as culinary vegetables. Our summers bring them to maturity. The leaves of this and allied species can be used as pot-herbs.

Hierochloa redolens, E. Br.

South-eastern Australia, almost confined to the Alps; in Tasmania and New Zealand also found in the lowlands, occurring likewise in the Antarctic islands and the southern extremity of America. A tall perennial nutritious grass, with the odor of Anthoxanthum. It is worthy of dissemi- nation on moist pasture land. H. borealis of the colder regions of tHe Northern Hemisphere accompanies here in the south H. redolens, but is a smaller grass.

Hordeum deficiens, Steudel.

The E-ed Sea Barley. One of the two-rowed Barleys, culti- vated in Arabia and Abyssinia. Allied to this is H. macrolepis, A. Br., a native of Abyssinia.

Hordeum distichon, L.

Central Asia. The ordinary two-rowed Barley. To this species belong : the ordinary English Barley, the Chevalier, the Annat, the Dunlop, the long-eared, the black, the

61

Italian and the G-olden Barley along with other kinds. A variety with grains free from the sepals constitutes the Siberian and the Haliday Barley, which however is less adapted for malt. Dry Barley-flour, heated at the tempera- ture of boiling water during several hours, constitutes Hufeland's meal for invalids. Barley^culture might be carried on in many parts of our Alps.

Hordeum hexastichan, L.

Orient. The regularly six-rowed Barley. This includes among other varieties the Scotch, the Square and the Bear Barley. Seeds less uniform in size than those of H. d^p- tichon. The so-called skinless variety is that, in which the grain separates from the calyx.

Hordeum secalinum, Schreber.

(H. pratense, Hudson.)

Europe, North and Middle Asia, North America. Peren- nial. Famed as the best fattening grass of many of the somewhat brackish marsh pastures on the North Sea. It never fruits when kept down by cattle, and surpresses finally nearly all other grasses and weeds.

Hordeum vulgare, L-

Orient. The four-rowed Barley, though rather six-rowed with two prominent rows. Several varieties occur, among them : the Spring, "Winter and Black Barley, the Russian, the French, the Naked and the Wheat Barley. Chemical principles of malt : Asparagin ; a protein substance : Dias- tase ; an acid and Cholesterin-fat.

Hordeum zeocriton, L.

Central Asia. Also a two-rowed Barley. To this species belong the Sprat, the Battledore, the Fulham and the Putney Barley.

Hovenia dulcis, Thunberg*.

Himalaia, China, Japan. The pulpy fruit-stalks of this tree are edible. H. inaequalis, D. C., and H. acerla, Lindl., are mere varieties of this species.

62

Humulus Lupulus, L.*

The Hop-plant. Temperate zone of Europe, Asia and North America. This twining perennial unisexual plant has proved to yield enormously on river banks in rich soil or on fertile slopes, where irrigation could be effected, particularly so within our territory along the river valleys of Gripps Land and in other similar localities. A pervious especially alluvial soil, fertile through manure or otherwise, appliances for irrigation natural or artificial, and also shelter against storms are some of the conditions for success in hop-growth, and under such conditions the rearing of hops will prove thus ' far profitable in countries and localities of very different mean temperature. A dry summer-season is favorable to the ripening and gathering of hops. On the Mitchell River, in Gipps Land, 1500 Ibs. have been obtained from an acre. In Tasmania large crops have been realized for very many years. The plant might be readily naturalized on river banks and in forest valleys. The scaly fruit cones form the commercial hops, whose value largely depends on the minute glandular granules of Lupuline. Hops impart their flavor to beer, and principally by their tannic acid prevent acetous fermentation and precipitate albuminous substances from the malt. Hop-pillows are recommended to overcome want of sleep. Many of the substitutes of hops are objectionable or deleterious. The refuse hops of breweries possess double the value of stable manure. Active principles of hop leaves and fruits: A peculiar volatile and a bitter acid substance. The fibre of the stem can be made into cords and paper.

Hydrastis Canadensis, ^-

North America. The Yellow Poccoon. A perennial herb, utilized in medicine. The root contains two alkaloids : Berberin and Hydrastin.

Hyascyamus niger, L-

The Henbane. Europe, North Africa, extra-tropic Asia. An important medicinal herb of one or two years' duration. It contains a peculiar alkaloid : Hyoscyamin.

63

Hyphaene Argun, Martins.

Nubia. Probably hardy in the warmer parts of our Colony.

Hyphaene coriacea, G-aertner.

Equatorial Eastern Africa. The dichotomous Palm of the seacoast-regions. It attains a height of 80 feet.

Hyphaene crinita, G-aertner. (H. Thelaica, Martins.)

Abyssinia, Nubia, Arabia and Egypt as far as 31° N., and southward to the Zambesi, Nyassa and Sofala. The Ginger- bread-palm or Doum-palm. It is much branched and attains a height of about 30 feet. The mealy husk of the fruit is edible. Grows away from the sea.

Hyphaene ventricosa, Kirk.

Zambesi. Loftier than the other species. Stem turgid towards the middle. Emit large.

HypochoDris apargioides, Hook and Am.

Chili. A perennial herb. The root is used for culinary purposes like that of the Scorzonera Hispanica.

Hyphochoeris Scorzonerae, F. v. M.

(AcJiyropJiorus Scorzonerae, Cand.)

Chili. Of the same use as H. apargioides. Allied species of probably similar utility exist in Western South America.

Ilex Paraguensis, St. Hilaire.

Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil. The Mate. This Holly-bush is inserted into this list rather as a stimu- lating medicinal plant, than as a substitute for the ordinary Tea-plant. Chemical principles : CoiFein, Quina-acid and a peculiar tannic acid, which latter can be converted into Viridin-acid.

Illicium anisatum, 1^

China and Japan. The Star-Anis. An evergreen shrub or small tree. The starry fruits used in medicine and as a condiment. Their flavour rests on a peculiar volatile oil with Anethol. This species and a few others deserve culture also as ornamental bushes.

64

Indigofera Anil, L-

Recorded as indigenous to West India, and as extending naturally through Continental America from Carolina to Brazil. A shrub several feet high. Pods sickle-shaped, short? compressed. One of the principal Indigo plants under culti- vation both in the eastern and western hemispheres. Only in the warmest parts of our Colony can we hope to produce Indigo with remunerative success. But many of the hardier species seem never yet tested for pigment. Already 114 are recorded alone from extra-tropical Southern Africa. An Indigofera of G-eorgia, said to be wild, perhaps I. Anil, yields an excellent product. The pigment in all instances is obtained by maceration of the foliage, aeration of the liquid and inspissation of the sediment.

Indigofera argentea, L. (/. coerulea, Eoxb.)

Tropical and extra-tropical Northern Africa, Arabia, India. A shrub several feet high, closely allied to I. Anil, and like- wise a good Indigo-plant.

Indigofera tinctoria, L.

Warmest part of Asia, as far east as Japan, recorded also from tropical Africa and even Natal. A shrubby plant, attaining a height of 6 feet. Pods straight, cylindrical, many-seeded. Extensively cultivated in warm zones for Indigo, and probably hardy in our northern and eastern lowland regions.

InulaHelenium, £•

The Elecampane. Middle and South Europe, Middle Asia eastward to Japan. A perennial herb. The bitter and somewhat aromatic root, for the sake of its stimulating and tonic properties, is used in medicine. It contains also the amylaceous Inulin and the crystalline Helenin.

Ipomcea Batatas, Poiret.* (Batatas edulis, Choisy).

The Sweet Potato. Tropical South America. First brought to Europe from Brazil. It proved well adapted also for our part of Australia and for New Zealand. The tubers afford a patatable food, more nutritieus than ordinary potatoes. Varieties with red, white and yellow roots occur.

65

Each tuber weighs generally from 3 Ibs. to 5 Ibs., but may occasionally attain to 56 Ibs. The yield is from 200 to 300 bushels from an acre.

Ipomcea paniculata, R- Brown.

Almost a cosmopolitan plant on tropical coasts ; thus indi- genous to North Australia and the warmer parts of East Australia. The tubers also of this species are edible. If hardy, the plant would deserve cultivation.

Ipomcea purga, Wenderoth.

Mountains of Mexico. The true Jalap. This species yields the medicinal Jalap root. It has recently been cul- tivated with apparent success even at New York. Thus it is entitled to a trial in our warm woodlands. Active prin- ciple : the resinous Convolvulin.

Ipomcea simulaus, Hanbury.

Mexico. From this species the Tampico Jalap, or rather the Sierra G-orda Jalap, is derived. Z operculata, Mart., yields the Brazilian Jalap.

Isatis indigotica, Fortune.

North China. Perennial, almost shrubby. The use is similar to that of the following plant.

Isatis tinctoria, ^-

Dyer's Woad. From the Mediterranean regions through part of the Orient, apparently extending as far as Japan. A tall herb of two years' duration. The blue dye is obtained from the fermented leaves. Many other species of Isatis, mostly Asiatic, may produce perhaps dye with equal advan- tage. Boissier enumerates merely as Oriental 28 kinds.

Jasminum grandifiorum, L-

From India to Japan. Mowers white. Extensively cultivated in South Europe. The delicate scent is with- drawn either by fixed oils or alcoholic distillation. The pecuniary yield obtainable from Jasmin cultivation seems vastly over-rated, even if inexpensive labour should be obtainable.

66

Jasminum odoratissimum, ^-

Madeira. Shrubby like the rest. Flowers yellow. Used like the foregoing and following for scent. This may be prepared by spreading upon wool or cotton, slightly saturated with olive oil or other fixed oil, the flowers, and covering them with other layers so prepared. The flowers are renewed from time to time until the oil is thoroughly per- vaded by the scent, when the latter is withdrawn by Alcohol. Other modes of extracting the oil exist.

Jasminum officinale, L-

From the Caucasus to China. Flowers white. This is the principal species cultivated in South Europe for its scent.

Jasminum Sambac, Aiton.

From India to Japan. It would probably endure our cool season in the northern and eastern regions. It has the richest perfume of all. The bush attains a height of 20 feet, and is almost climbing. The flowers are white, and must be collected in the evening before expansion. The relative value of many other species of Jasmin, nearly all from the warmest parts of Asia, seems in no instance to have been ascertained, as far as their oils or scents are concerned. Our Australian species are also deliciously fragrant, amongst which J. linear e, Br., occurs in our Vic- torian deserts, while also J. didymum, Forst. ; J. racemosmi, F. v. M. ; J. simpUcifoUttm, Forst. ; J. calcareum, F. v. M., and J. suavissimum, Lmdl., reach extra- tropic latitudes.

Jubaea spectabilis, Humboldt.

The taH and stout Coquito-Palm of Chili. Well adapted for our extra- tropic latitudes. A kind of treacle is obtained from the sap of this Palm. The small kernels are edible.

Justicia Adhatoda, L-

India; enduring the climate of the lowlands of Victoria. This bush possesses anti-spasmodic and febrifugal properties. It can be utilized also as a hedge-plant.

Kentia Baueri, Seemann.

The Norfolk Island Palm. Height 40 ft-ct.

> Kentia sapida,

67

Kentia Belmoriana, M. and M.

The Curly Palm of Lord Howe's Island. About 40 feet high. "With its congeners, evidently destined to grace our gardens, and to become also important for horticultural traffic abroad.

Kentia Canterburyana, M. and M.

Umbrella Palm of Lord Howe's Island. Likewise a tall and hardy palm.

Kentia Mooreana, F. v. M.

Dwarf Palm of Lord Howe's Island, where it occurs only on the summits of the mountains.

Blume.

The Nika Palm of New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. It also attains a height of 40 feet and is one of the hardiest of all palms. The unexpanded flower-spikes can be con- verted as palm-cabbage into food.

Lactuca virosa, L-

Middle and South Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. A biennial. The inspissated juice of this Lettuce forms the sedative Lactucarium.

Lathyrus pratensis, L.

Europe, North and Middle Asia, The Meadow Pea. A good perennial pasture-herb.

Lathyrus sativus, L-

Middle and South Europe. The Jarosse. An annual forage-herb ; the pods also available for culinary purposes. Probably other species of Lathyrus could advantageously be introduced.

Lavandllla angUStlfolia, Ehrhart. {L. vera, Candolle.) Countries around and near the Mediterranean Sea. The Lavender-plant of somewhat shrubby growth, from which by distillation the best oil of Lavender is prepared. It lives on dry soil, but is less hardy than the following.

Lavandula latifolia, Villars. ( L. spica, Candolle.)

South Europe, North Africa. Also from this species much Lavender oil is obtained.

68

Lavandula Stoechas, L.

South Europe, North Africa. This shrub can also be utilized for oil distillation and other purposes, for which the two other Lavenders are used. The quality of the oil of these species seems to differ according to their locality of growth.

Lawsonia alba, Lamarck.

North and Middle Africa, Persia, Arabia, India and North- western Australia. The Henne or Henna-Bush. It may become of use as a dye-plant in parts of our Colony free of frost. The orange pigment is obtained from the grinded foliage.

Lavatera arborea, L.

Tree-Mallow of Middle Europe and the countries at the Mediterranean Sea. A tall biennial plant of rapid growth. The ribbon-like bast is produced in greater abundance than in most other malvaceous plants. The Tree-Mallow might easily be naturalized on our shores. Perhaps it might serve with allied plants for green manure.

Leersia oryzoides, Swartz.

Middle and South Europe, various parts of Asia, Africa and America. A perennial nutritious swamp-grass. Other Leersias from both hemispheres are deserving of introduction.

Lepidium sativum, L-

The Cress. Orient. Annual. Irrespective of its culinary value Cress is of use as one of the remedies in cases of scurvy. Active principle : A volatile oil and the bitter Lepidin.

Lepidosperma gladiatum, La Billard.

The Sword- Sedge of the sea coasts of extra-tropic Australia. One of the most important plants for binding sea-sand, also yielding a paper material as good as Sparta.

Leptospernmm laevigatum, F. v. M.

(Fabricia laevigata, Graertner.)

The " Sandstay." Sea-shores and sand-deserts of extra- tropic Australia, but not extending to Western Australia.

This shrub or small tree is the most effectual of all for arresting the progress of drift-sand in a clime like ours. It is most easily raised by simply scattering in autumn the seeds on the sand and covering them loosely with boughs.

Ligustrum Japonicum, Thunberg.

The Japan Privet. A shrub, evergreen or nearly so, promising to become a valuable hedge-plant. It grows like the ordinary European Privet readily from cuttings.

Linum usitatissimum, L.*

The Max-plant. Orient. A well-known annual, which yields the fibre for linen and the linseed oil. Max-culture is doubtless destined to become an important industry among us. Few plants find a wider congeniality of soil and climate, and few give a quicker return. Grood and deep soil well drained is requisite for successful flax-culture. Change of seed-grain is desirable. Thick sowing extends the length of the fibre. To obtain the best fibre, the plant must be pulled when the seeds commence to ripen. If the seeds are allowed in part to mature, then both fibre and seed may be turned to account. If the seed is left to ripen completely, then the fibre is generally discarded. The seed yields by pressure about 22 per cent, of oil. The residue can either be prepared as Linseed Meal or be utilized as admixture to stable-fodder. The demand for both fibre and oil is enormous. The value of our import of raw fibre in 1871 was already £15,634, while the import of oil was £22,469. Two principal varieties are under culture : a tall sort, with smaller flowers, closed capsules and dark seeds ; a dwarf sort, more branched (even if closely sown) with larger flowers and capsules, the seed-vessels opening spontaneously and with elasticity, while the seeds are of a a pale color. None of the perennial species of Linum are so manageable in culture as the ordinary annual flax.

Lippia citriodora, Kunth.

Peru, Chili, La Plata States, Brazil. An evergreen shrub, yielding scented oil.

70 Lithospermum hirtum, Lehmann.

North American Alkanna. A showy perennial herb ; the root yields a red dye.

Lithospermum canescens, Lehmann.

North American Alkannet. This, as the vernacular name indicates, offers also a dye root.

Lithospermum longiflorum, Sprengel.

North America. A red pigment can also be extracted from the root of this species.

Livistona Australis, Martins.

East Australia. Our own and only Palm-tree in Victoria, occurring in East Gripps Land (in the latitude of Melbourne), and there attaining a height of 80 feet. The young leaves can be plaited as a material for cabbage-tree hats.

Livistona Chinensis, E. Brown.

South China and Japan. A very decorative fan-palm, hardy in our lowlands.

Lolium perenne, L.*

Europe, North Africa, Western Asia. The perennial Eye- G-rass, mentioned here for completeness' sake. L. Italicum, Al. Br., the Italian Rye- Grass, seems to be only a variety. One of the most important of all pasture-grasses, also almost universally chosen for lawn-culture. It produces an abund- ance of seeds, which are readily collected and easily vegetate. It arrives early to perfection. Nevertheless the produce and nutritive powers are considerably less than those of Dactylis glomerata, Alopecurus pratensis and Festuca elatior ; but it pushes forward earlier than the last mentioned grass, while the ripening of seeds is less defective than in Alopecurus. Eye-grass though naturally living but a few years, maintains its ground well by the ease, with which it disseminates itself spontaneously. Several sorts, which scarcely can be called varieties, are under cultivation. Eye-grass stands the dry heat of our summers well. It is likely to spread gradually over the whole of the Australian continent, and may play an important part in our pastoral

71

affairs and also in ameliorating the clime of the desert districts.

Lupinus albus, L.

The "White Lupine. Countries at the Mediterranean Sea, also in the Orient. An annual quick-growing herb, valuable for fodder and for green manure. The lentil-like seeds, after the bitter principle (Lupinin) has become removed through boiling, become edible. It would lead too far, to enumerate here many others of the numerous species of Lupines, of which unques- tionably very many are eligible for agrarian purposes, while all are acceptable as hardy, elegant and easily grown garden plants. One (L. perennis, L.) extends in America to the Northern States of the Union and Canada ; fourteen are recorded from South Europe, seventeen from Brazil, and numerous species from other parts of America, where the limits of the genus are about Monte Video south- ward and about Nootka Sound northward. The majority of the species is perennial. The Egyptian L. Termis, Forsk., is closely allied to L. albus, and of equal use.

Lupinus luteus, L.

The Scented Yellow Lupine. Countries in the vicinity of the Mediterranean Sea. This likewise annual species is predominently in use through Middle Europe, to improve sandy soil. It can also be employed like some other Lupines as a fodder herb. About 90 Ibs. of seeds are required for an acre.

Lupinus varius, L.

The Blue Lupine. Also a Mediterranean annual, used like the above congeners ; but a few others are under cultivation as Blue Lupines. Some of the American, particularly Cali- fornian species, are regarded for agrian purposes superior to the Mediterranean kinds. Madura aurantiaca, Nuttall.

The Osage Orange, or North American Bow-wood, or Yellow-wood. Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana. This thorny deciduous shrub or tree can be well trained into hedges .

72

It is unisexual, and will in favourable localities on rich river banks attain a height of 60 feet, with a stem 2 to 3 feet thick, thus becoming available as a timber -tree. Here it is recorded as a hedge plant ; as such our own thorny Maclura Calcar Galli (Morus Calcar Galli, A. Cunningh.) of extra-tropical East Australia, which moreover possesses small edible fruits, deserves attention for live fences. Neither of the two is readily subject to blight or attacks of insects. The latter produces suckers and from the root a yellow dye.

Maharanga Emodi, A. de Candolle.

Nepaul. The root produces like that of Alkanna tinctoria a red dye.

Mallotus Philippinensis, J. M.

(JRottlera tinctoria, Roxburgh.)

South Asia and East Australia, in jungle- country, extending into New South Wales. Though not of great importance this bush should not be passed on this occasion, inasmuch as the powdery substance, investing the seed-capsules, con- stitutes the Kamala, which can be employed not only as an orange dye, but also as an anthelminthic remedy. The Hindoo silk-dyers use it for an orange colour, obtained by boiling the Kamala with carbonate of soda.

Manihot Aipi, Pohl.

The Sweet Cassava. Tropical South America, but traced as far south as the Parana River. The root is reddish and harmless ; it can therefore be used, unlike those of the fol- lowing species, without any further preparations than boiling, as a culinary esculent, irrespective of its starch being also available for tapioca. Both are somewhat woody plants, several feet high, and they are too important to be left altogether unnoticed on this occasion, although we have no e vidence, that they will prove productive even in those parts of Victoria, which are free of frost. The Aipi has ligneous tough fibres, stretching along the axis of the tubers, while generally the roots of the following species are free of this central woody substance.

73

Manihot utilissima, Pohl.

The Bitter Cassava or Tapioca-plant. Tropical South America. Closely allied to the former, producing varieties with roots of poisonous acridity, and with tubers perfectly harmless. The tubers attain a length of 3 feet ; they can be converted into bread or cakes, the volatile poison of the milky sap being destroyed through pressing of the grated root in first instance, and the remaining acridity is ex- pelled by the heating process. The starch, heated in a moist state, furnishes the Tapioca. Manihot is abundantly culti- vated at Caracas, where the singularly uniform temperature throughout the year is only 60° to 70° F. It is a very exhausting crop, and stands thus in need of rich soil and manuring. The propagation is effected by cuttings from the ligneous part of the stem. The soil, destined for Cassava, must not be wet. In warm countries the tubers are avail- able in about 8 months, though they still continue to grow afterwards. The growth of the plant upwards is checked by breaking off the buds. The Bitter Cassava is the more productive of the two. The yellowish tubers attain some- times a weight of 30 Ibs. They do not become soft by boil- ing like Aipi.

Maoutia Puya, Weddell.

India, on mountains up to 4000 feet. It is taller than Boehmeria nivea, and furnishes a similar fibre. This shrub belongs to a tribe of the nettle order, not possessing burning acridity. None of the true nettles, such as the Girardinias, nor allied stinging plants have been recom- mended in this index, although from some an exquisite fibre Lis derived, as the writer wishes to guard against the introduction of any burning species, which possibly might disseminate itself in a mischievous manner in our ranges, and then probably could not again be suppressed.

Maranta arundinacea, L.

The true Arrow-root plant. West India. The plant is intro- duced into this list not without hesitation, as it seems to require a warmer clime than ours to attain perfection. It furnishes most of the genuine West Indian Arrowroot, although other

74

species, such as M. nobilis, M. Allouya, M. rainosissitna, are also cultivated for a similar starch of their tubers.

Matricaria Chamomilla, L.

The annual Chamomile. Europe, North and Middle Asia. A highly useful herb in medicine. In many parts of the Euro- pean continent it is much more extensively used than the ordinary perennial Chamomile. The infusion of the flowers has rather a pleasant taste without strong bitterness. The flowers serve as a tonic and especially as a sudorific, and possess a peculiar volatile oil. Marnibium vulgar e, L., is not prominently mentioned, as it is already rather copiously naturalized.

Medicago sativa, L.*

Orient ; now spread through Middle and South Europe and Middle Asia. The purple Medick, Alfalfa or Lucerne. A perennial fodder-herb of great importance, and already largely utilized in our colony, perhaps descended from the English Medicago falcata, which also deserves naturalization. Lucerne keeps here green and fresh in the hottest season of the year, even in dry and comparatively barren ground, but developes itself for field-culture with the greatest vigour on river banks, particularly in soil rich in lime. Its deeply penetrating roots render the plant particularly fit for fixing fenced embankments or hindering the washing away of soil subject to occasional inundations.

Melilotus alba, Desrouss.

The Cabul or Bockhara Clover. Middle and Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. A biennial herb. On account of its fragrance it is of value for admixture to hay. It is also a good bee-plant. Mowers white. Odorous principle : Cumarin.

Melilotus officinalis, Desrouss.

Europe and Middle Asia. Also biennial, or lasting through several years if prevented from flowering. Contains also Cumarin. An allied species is M. macrorrliiza, Pers. Both serve purposes similar to those for which M. alba is employed.

75

Melissa officinalis, L.

The Balin-herb. South Europe and Middle Asia. A peren- nial herb, valuable for its scent, which depends on a peculiar volatile oil. It is also valuable as a bee-plant.

Melocanna bambllSOides, Trinius. (Beeslia EJieedei, Kunth.) The berry-bearing Bamboo, from Chittagong and other mountainous parts of India. It is a thornless Bamboo, growing on dry slopes of hills. Height up to 70 feet ; cir- cumference towards base 1 foot ; growth beautifully erect.

Melocanna humilis, Eoeper.

India. More slender than the preceding species, and attaining only a height of 20 feet.

Melocanna Travancorica. (Beesha Travancorica, Beddome.) A new Bamboo from Travancore, worthy of introduction.

Mentha piperita, L.*

The Peppermint. Middle Europe. This well-known peren- nial herb is important for its peculiar essential oil, which here by culture is produced in good quality. This distilled oil is in considerable demand, and would be best obtained from plants cultivated in the mountain regions or natural- ized along the forest rivulets. Eminent authorities refer the Peppermint as avarietyto Mentha aquatica, L., the Water- mint of Europe, North Africa, West and North Asia, from which the true Crisp Mint (M. crispa, L.) is again derived, as well as the Bergamot-mint (M. citrata, Ehrh.)

Mentha Piilegiiim, L.

The true Penny-royal. Europe, Western Asia, North Africa. A perennial scent herb, yielding a peculiar ethereal oil. It likes moist soil.

Mentha rotundifolia, L.

Middle and South Europe, Uorth Africa, Western Asia. Fond of wet places, which by the culture of this and other mints may be profitably utilized. In odor this mint approaches to Melissa. The French and Italian Crisp Mint is partly derived from this species. Closely allied to the following, and often regarded as a variety of M. viridis, L.

76

Mentha silvestris, L.

The Horse Mint. Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia. Perennial. One of the Crisp Mints is derived from this species.

Mentha viridis, L.

The Spear Mint. Middle and South Europe. Perennial. A particular sort of Crisp Mint (M. crispata, Schrad.) belongs to this species.

Our native Mints, M. Australis, M. gracilis and M. sature- joides, E. Br., yield also oil of good flavor. M. Australis is far the largest and most abundant of these plants.

Menyanthes trifoliata, L.

Inappropriately called the Bog-bean. Europe, North and Middle Asia, North America. In springy and spongy bogs. A perennial herb of great beauty, which could be naturalized with facility in our Alps. The root is starchy. The whole plant is pervaded with a bitter principle, largely derived from Menyanthin. The plant is used medicinally as a tonic and febrifuge.

Microseris Forsteri, J. Hooker.

The Native Scorzonera of extra-tropical Australia and New Zealand. A perennial herb deserving attention, as likely its roots would enlarge and improve through culture. On the summits of our snowy mountains the plant developes itself most luxuriantly. The aborigines use the root for food. The plant would prove hardy in Middle Europe.

Moms alba, L.*

The White Mulberry -tree, China. This tree in several varieties provides the food for the ordinary Chinese Silk- insect (Rombyx Mori) . Silk was produced in Italy already 600 years ago, and there this branch of industry has florished ever since. In China, Silk was reeled since 4500 years. This may demonstrate the permanency of an indus- try, which we wish to establish here extensively under «, similar sky. " One pound of silk is worth its weight in silver, and this pound may be -produced (so far as the food of tVto "Bombyx is concerned) from 30lbs, of Mulberry leaves

77

or from a single tree, which thus may be brought to yield annually the material for 16 yards of G-ros de Naples." The White Mulberry-tree is of extremely easy growth from cuttings, also readily raised from well-matured seeds. It is usually unisexual, and attains finally a very large size. It can be grown in climes, where no longer Olives will thrive. Spots for Mulberry-culture must not be over-moist, when the leaves are to be utilized for the Bombyx. In 1870, according to the British Trade Journal, the produce of cocoons amounted in Europe to £16,588,000; in Asia to £28,112,000; in Africa to £44,000; in the South Sea Islands to £24,000 ; in America to £20,000 ;— thus giving a general total of £44,788,000. Superior varieties of Mul- berry can be grafted with ease on ordinary stock. M. Indica L., M. macropJiylla Morett., M. multicaulis Perott., M. Morettiana Jacq., M. CJiinensis BertoL, M. latifolia Poir., M. Italica Poir., M. Japonica Nois., M. Byzantina Sieb., M. nervosa Del., M. pumila Nois., M. tortuosa Audib., as well as the Constantinople Mulberry, are merely forms of M. alba, to which probably also M. Tatarica, L. and M. pdbularia, Jacquem., belong, The variety known as M. Indica produces black fruits. The planting of Mulberry- trees has recently assumed enormous dimensions in Cali- fornia, where in 1870 between seven and eight millions were planted. The process of rearing the silk-insect is simple and involves no laborious exertions. The cocoons, after they have been properly steamed, dried and pressed, find readily purchasers in Europe, the price ranging according to quality from 3s. to 6s. per Ib. The eggs of the Silkworm sell at a price from 16s. to £2 per ounce, and in 1870 Japan had to provide two millions of ounces of Silk-ova for Europe, where the worms had extensively fallen victims to disease. Instances have been recorded in California, where 8 tons of leaves were gathered in the first year from the Mulberry- trees of 1 acre, and 30 tons in the next year. As an example of the profit thus to be realized, a Californian fact may be cited, according to which £700 were the clear gain from 3| acres, the working expenses having been £93. The Commissioner of Agriculture of the United States has

78

estimated, that under ordinary circumstances an acre should support from 700 to 1000 Mulberry-trees, producing 5000 Ibs. of leaves fit for food, when four years old. On this quantity of leaves can be reared 140,000 worms, from which ova at a nett profit ranging from £80 to £240 per acre will be obtained by the work of one person. Mr. C. Brady, of Sydney, thinks the likely proceeds of silk-culture to be from £60 to £150 for the acre. The discrepancies in calculations of this kind are explained by differ ences in clime, soil, attention and treatment.

The "White Mulberry-tree has been very copiously distributed from the Melbourne Botanic Garden since many years. A very palatable fruit is obtained from a variety cultivated in Beloochistan and Afighanistan. Morus Tatarica, L., resembles M. alba. Its juicy fruit is insipid and small. The leaves are not generally used for Silkworms.

The results of Mr. Brady's experience on the varieties of the Morus alba are as follows : — In the normal form the fruits are white with a purplish tinge more or less deep, the bark is pale, the leaf is also of a pale hue, not very early nor very tender, nor very abundant. It may be grown on moist ground as long as such is drained, or it will live even on poor loose gravelly soil bordering on running water. The Cevennes variety is a free grower, affords a large quantity of leaves though of rather thick consistence ; all varieties of the Morus Bombyx like these leaves at all stages of their age. It is also called the rose-leaved variety. The silk which it yields is substantial in quantity and also good in quality. It does best on rich dry slopes. The bushy Indian variety has a fine leaf of beautiful green, which though light in weight is abundantly produced. It can be cut back to the stem three or four times a year ; the leaves are flat, long and pointed, possess a. fine aroma, and are relished by every variety of the ordinary Silk-insect, though not all thrive equally well on it. The silk derived from this variety is excellent, but not always so heavy in quantity as that produced from the rosy variety. It prefers rich low- lying bottoms, is a greedy feeder, but may thus be made to

79

cover an extraordinary breadth of alluvial or manured land in a marvellous short space of time. At Sydney, Mr. Brady can provide leaves from this Indian variety all through the year by the removal of cuttings, which will strike their root almost at any season. It ripens also seeds readily, and should be kept at bush size. It requires naturally less space than the other kinds. A fourth variety comes from North China ; it has heart-shaped flat thickish leaves, which form very good food for the Silkworm. Mr. Brady, as well as Mr. Martelli, recommend very particularly the variety, passing under the name Morus multicaulis for the worms in their earliest stages. The former recommends the Cape variety also j the latter wishes also the variety, called Morus Morettiana, to be used on account of its succulent nutri- tious foliage, so well adapted for the insect while yet very young, and also on account of producing the largest amount of food within the shortest time. The Manilla variety, known as Morus multicaulis, comes several weeks earlier into bearing than most other sorts, and should therefore be at hand for early hatched worms.

Morus nigra, L.*

The Black Mulberry-tree. South Eussia and Persia. Highly valuable for its pleasant refreshing fruits. It is a tree of longevity, instances being on record of its having lived through several centuries. It is also very hardy. The leaves also of this species afford food for the ordinary silk- moth. The tree occurs usually unisexual. J£ atropurpurea, Eoxb., from Cochin-China, is an allied tree. The cylin- drical fruit-spike attains a length of two inches.

Morus rubra has been recorded already in the Appendix to our Acclimatisation Society's Report for 1870-1871, among the timber- trees.

Musa Cavendishii, Lambert.

(M. regia, Eumph. ; M. Chinensis, Sweet.) The Chinese Banana. A comparatively dwarf species, the stem attaining only a height of about 5 or 6 feet. Its robust and dwarf habit render it particularly fit for exposed

80

localities, and this is one of the reasons, why it is so exten- sively cultivated in the South Sea Islands. The yield of fruit is profuse (as much as 200 to 300 fruits in a spike) , and the flavor excellent. This as well as M. sapientuni and M. paradisiaca ripen still their fruits in Madeira and Florida.

Musa Ensete, Grmelin.

Bruce's Banana. From Sofala to Abyssinia, in mountain regions. This magnificent plant attains a height of 30 feet, the leaves occasionally reaching to the length of 20 feet, with a width of 3 feet, being perhaps the largest in the whole empire of plants, exceeding those of Strelitzia and Ravenala, and surpassing even in quadrat-measurement those of the grand water-plant Victoria Regia, while excelling in com- parative circumference also the largest compound frond of Angiopteris evecta, or divided leaf of Grodwinia Grigas, though the compound leaves of some palms are still larger. The inner part of the stem, and the young spike of the Ensete can be boiled to serve as a table esculent, but the fruit is pulpless. This plant produces no suckers, and requires several years to come into flower and seed, when it dies off like the Sago plant, the Caryota palm and others, which flower but once without reproduction from the root.

Musa Livingstoniana, Kirk.

Mountains of Sofala, Mozambique and the Niger regions. Similar to M. Ensete ; seeds much smaller. Possibly re- quiring no protection here in favorable places.

Musa paradisiaca, L.

The ordinary Plantain or Pisang. India. Among the most prolific of plants, requiring the least care in climes adapted for its growth. Stem not spotted. Bracts purple inside. In this as well as the foregoing and the following new shoots are produced from the root, to replace annually the fruit- bearing stem. The fruit of this is chiefly prepared by some cooking process. Only a few varieties are distinguished, and they seem to have sprung- from the wild state of M. sapientum. The writer did not wish to pass this and the

81

allied plants unnoticed, as they will endure our clime in the warmest localities of the colony, where under more careful attention they are likely to mature with regularity their fruit. They require rich and humid soil. Plantain meal is prepared by simply reducing the dried pulp to powder. It is palatable, digestible and nourishing. .

Musa sapientum, L.

The ordinary Banana or Sweet Plantain. India. One of the most important plants yielding nutritious delicious fruits. The stem is spotted. Bracts green inside. The leaves and particularly the stalks and the stems of this and other species of Musa can be utilized for producing a fibre similar to Manilla Hemp. The fruit of this is used chiefly unprepared ; it is generally of a yellow color. Numerous varieties are distinguished. As much as a hundredweight of fruit is obtained from a plant annually in tropical climes. At Caracas, where the temperature is seldom much above or below 60° F., the Plantain and Banana plants are very pro- ductive, being loaded with fruits 12 to 15 inches long, on mountains about 5000 feet high. In our dry Murray re- gions the winter temperature seems too low for the suc- cessful development of these plants, except on sheltered spots.

Musa troglodytarum, L. (M. uranoscopos, Eumph.J

India, and apparently indigenous also in the Feegee and other islands of the Pacific Ocean. The fruit-stalk of this species stands upright ; the edible fruits are small, reddish or orange-colored. The Chinese M. coccinea, Ait., a dwarf ornamental species, has also the fruit-spike straight.

Myrica Faya, Aiton.

Madeira, Azores and Canary Islands. A small tree. The drupaceous fruits are used for preserves. M. sapida, Wallich., an Indian mountainous species, has also edible fruits.

Myrtus Ugni, A. Gray.

The Chilian Gruava. A hardy shrub, freely bearing its small but pleasantly aromatic berries.

82

Nardostachys Jatamansi, Gaud.

Mountains of Bengal and ~N"epaul. A perennial herb, famous already at ancient times as a medicinal plant. The root contains an ethereal oil and bitter principle. This drug is often also obtained from JV. grandiflora, Cand.

Nelumbo llltea, Caspary.* (Nelunibium luteum, Willd.)

In North America, north to 44° ; also in Jamaica. This magnificent perennial water-plant carries with it the type of Nelumbo nucifera, but seems more hardy and thus better adapted for our latitudes, the Pythagorean Bean not descend- ing in Australia naturally beyond the 23°, although also this species may perhaps live in the warmer parts of our Colony. The tuberous roots of both species resemble the Sweet Potato and are starchy : the seeds are of particularly pleasant taste. To us the plants would be of great value as ornamental aquatics. The leaves of N. lutea are from 1 foot to 2 feet in diameter. The flowers measure one-half to one foot across. The capsular fruit contains from 20 to 40 nut-like seeds. The plant in congenial spots dis- places nearly all other water vegetation by the vigor of its growth.

Nellimbo nucifera, G-aertner.* (Nelum~bium speciosum, Willd.) The Pythagorean Bean. Egypt ; at the Caspian and Aral Seas (46° N.) ; Persia ; through India, where in Cashmere it occurs at an elevation of 5000 feet ; China ; Japan ; Amur (46° N.); tropical Australia as far south as 23°. The occur- rence of this grand plant at the Ima, at Pekin and at Astrachan proves sufficiently, that we can naturalize it in Victoria. The Nelumbo requires deep water with a muddy bottom. The large white or rosy flowers are very fragrant. The seeds retain their vitality for several years. According to the ancient Egyptian method they are placed in balls of muddy clay and chaff and then sunk into the water.

Nephelium Litchi, Cambess.

South China, Cochin-China and Philippine Islands. An evergreen tree, producing the Litchi-fruit. The pulpy arillus is of extremely pleasant taste, though not large.

83

Nephelium Longanum, Cambess.

India and Southern China. The Longan-fruit is obtained from this tree ; it is smaller than that of the Litchi-tree.

Nicotiana multivalvis, Lindley.

The Native Tobacco of the Columbia Eiver. An annual. This with the following species can be utilized for certain kinds of Tobacco.

Nicotiana Persica, Lindley.

The Shiraz Tobacco. Persia. Annual. This can be brought to perfection only in cool mountain regions. The mode of culture is somewhat different to that of the ordinary Tobacco. Moderate irrigation is favorable. The plants when ripe are cut off and stuck into the ground again until they become yellow.. They are then heaped together for a few days in the drying-house. They are then packed into thin strata and placed into bags, for pressure and daily turning.

Nicotiana quadrivalvis, Pursh.

The Native Tobacco of the Missouri. An annual.

Nicotiana repanda, Willd.

Cuba, Mexico, Texas. Annual. It is utilized for some of the Havannah Tobaccoes.

Nicotiana rustica, L.

Tropical America. Annual. Some sorts of Eastern India Tobacco, of Manilla Tobacco and of Turkey (for instance Latakia) Tobacco are derived from this particular species.

Nicotiana Tabacum, L.*

The ordinary Tobacco-plant of Central America. Annual. Various districts with various soils produce very different sorts of Tobacco, particularly as far as flavor is concerned, and again various climatic conditions will affect vastly the Tobacco-plant in this respect. We can thus not hope to produce for instance Manilla or Havannah Tobacco in our latitudes, but we can anticipate to produce good sorts of our own, more or less peculiar, or we may aspire to pro- ducing in our rich and frostless forest valleys a Tobacco

84

similar to that of Kentucky, Maryland, Connecticut and Virginia, parts of Victoria resembling in climate very much these countries. Frost is detrimental to the Tobacco-plant ; not only particularly when young must it be guarded against it, but frost will also injure the ripe crop. Mr. Politz con- siders the scarcity of dew in some of our districts to militate against the production of the best kinds, otherwise the yield as a rule is large, and the soil in many places well adapted for this culture. Leaves of large size are frequently obtained. The moister and warmer northern and eastern regions of our Colony are likely to produce the best Tobacco, if the final preparation of the leaf for the manu- facturer is effected by experienced skill. The cruder kinds are obtained with ease, and so leaves for covering cigars. Virgin soil with rich loam is the best for Tobacco-culture, and such soil should also contain a fair proportion of lime and potash, or should be enriched with a calcareous manure and ashes, or with well decomposed stable manure. The seed- lings, two months or less old, are transplanted. "When the plants are coming into flower the leading top-shoots are nipped off, and the young shoots must also be broken off. A few weeks afterwards the leaves will turn to a greenish yellow, which is a sign that the plants are fit to be cut, or that the ripe leaves can gradually be pulled. In the former case the stems are split ; the drying is then effected in barns by suspension from sticks across beams. The drying pro- cess occupies four or five weeks and may need to be assisted by artificial heat. Stripped of the stalks the leaf-blades are then tied into bundles to undergo sweating or a kind of slight fermentation. It does not answer to continue tobacco-culture beyond two years on the same soil uninter- ruptedly. A prominent variety is Nicotiana latissima, Miller, or N. macropkylla, Lehm., yielding largely the Chinese, the Orinoco and the Maryland Tobacco. The dangerously powerful Nicotin, a volatile acrid alkaline oily liquid, and Nicotianin, a bitter aromatic lamellar substance, are both derived from Tobacco in all its parts and are thera- peutic agents.

85 Niemeyera prunifolia, F. v. Mueller.

The Australian Cainito. An evergreen tree, sparingly dis- persed from the North of New South Wales through the coast forests of Queensland. The fruit is of plum-like appearance and edible. Culture is likely to improve its quality.

Ocimum Basilicum, L.

The Basil. "Warmer parts of Asia and Africa. An annual herb, valuable for condiments and perfumery. Several varieties exist, differing considerably in their scent. A crystalline substance is also obtained from this and similar species. 0. canum, Sims, is closely allied.

Ocimum gratissimum, L.

Eecorded from India, the South Sea Islands and Brazil, as indigenous. Somewhat shrubby. This is also a scent-plant like the following, and is one of the best of the genus. O. viride, Willd., from tropical Africa seems a variety.

Ocimum suave, Willd.

East Africa. A shrubby species. Ocimum sanctum, L.

Arabia, India, tropical Australia. A perennial herb. The odor of the variety occurring in North Australia reminds of Anis ; the smell of the variety growing in East Australia resembles cloves. 0. tenuiflorum, L., seems to be another variety. Probably other species, as well cis- as trans- Atlantic, can be used like Basil.

Olea Europsea, L.*

The Olive-tree. Prom South-western Asia ; naturalized in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. A tree not of great height, but of many centuries' duration and of unabating fecundity. The well-known Olive Oil is obtained from the fruit. Certain varieties of the fruit, preserved in vinegar or salt liquid before perfectly ripe, are also much used for the table. For this purpose the fruit is generally macerated previously in water containing potash and lime. The gum-resin of the Olive-tree contains the crystalline Olivil. The oil of the drupaceous fruit is a most important

86

product of countries with climates similar to that of Victoria. Its chemical constituents are : — 30 per cent, crystalline Palmitin; 70 per cent. Olein, through which Olive-oil belongs to those kinds, which are not drying. The wild variety of the Olive-tree has usually short blunt leaves and thorny branches. ' Long continued droughts, so detri- mental to most plants, will affect the Olive but slightly. It thrives best on a free loamy calcareous soil, even should it be strong and sandy, but it dislikes stiff clay. Proximity to the sea is favorable to it, and hill- sides are more eligible for its culture than plains. The ground must be deeply trenched. Manuring with well decayed substances is re- quisite annually, or every second or third year according to circumstances. Irrigation will add to the productiveness of the plant. Mons. Riondet distinguishes three main varieties, of which he recommends two : 1, the Cayon, a small-sized tree, which comes into bearing already after three or four years, but it bears fully only every second year ; its oil is fine with some aroma. 2, the Pendulier, a larger tree, with long drooping branches, yielding an oil of first-rate quality. Mons. Eeynaud " Culture de 1'Olivier," separates 12 varieties, as cultivated in France, and recom- mends among them : — 1, the Courniau or Coumiale, also called Plante de Salon, bearing most prolificly a small fruit and producing an excellent oil. 2, the Picholine, which by pruning its top branches is led to spread over eight square yards or more. It is of weeping habit, yields a good oil in fair quantity and resists well the attack of insects. 3, the Mouraou or Mourette, a large tree furnishing also oil of a very fine quality. Olive-trees require judicious pruning immediately after the fruit is gathered, when the sap is comparatively at rest. They may be multiplied from seeds, cuttings, layers, suckers, truncheons or estacas and old stumps, the latter to be split. The germination of the seeds is promoted by soaking the nutlets in a solution of lime and woodash. The seedlings can be budded or grafted after a few years. Truncheons or estacas may be from one to many feet long and from one inch to. many inches thick ; they are placed horizontally into the ground. Olive plantations at

87

Grasse are worth from £200 to £250 per ac^e. Tor many details the tract on the " Culture of Olive and its Utiliza- tion," here recently issued by the Rev. Dr. Bleasdale should be consulted, as it rests largely on its author's observations during a long stay in Portugal. The olive oil imported last year into Victoria was valued at £15,538.

The following notes are derived from the important " Tratado del Cultivo del Olivo en Espana," by the Chev. Capt. Jose de Hidalgo-Tablada (second edit., Madrid 1870). The Olive-tree will resist for a short time considerable frost (— 15° C.) provided the thawing takes place under fogs or mild rain (or perhaps under a dense smoke). It requires for ripening its fruit about one-third more annual warmth than the Vine. The Olive zones of South Europe and North Africa are between the 18° and 44° N.L. An elevation of about 550 feet corresponds in Spain, as far as this culture is concerned, to one degree further north. Olives do not grow well on granitic soil. The fruit produced on limestone formations is of the best quality. Gypsum promotes the growth of the tree (which thus may perhaps prosper in parts of the Murray-desert, underlaid with G-ypsum). An equable temperature serves best ; thus exposure to prevail- ing strong winds is to be avoided. The winter temperature should not fall below — 7° C. The content of oil in the fruit varies from 10 to 20 per cent. ; sometimes it even exceeds the latter proportion. In the Provence at an average 24 Ibs. of Olive Oil are consumed by each individual of the population ; in Southern Germany nearly 60 Ibs., in Andalusia about 30 Ibs. For obtaining the largest quantity of oil the fruit must be completely ripe. Hand-picked Olives give the purest oil. Knocking the fruits from the branches with sticks injures the tree and lessens its produc- tiveness in the next year. About 30 Olive-trees can be planted conveniently on an acre for permanence ; each tree under ordinary circumstances will produce fruits for 4 Ibs. to 5 Ibs. of oil annually. Spain alone produces about 250,000,000 Ibs. of Olive Oil a year.

88

SPANISH TARTETIES.

A. — Varieties of early maturation, for colder localities : —

1. Var. pomiformis, Clem.

Manzanillo. (French: Ampoulleau.) Fruit above an inch in diameter, spherical, shining black. Putamen broad and truncate.

2. Yar. regalis, Clem.

Sevillano. (French : Pruneau de Catignac.) Fruit about an inch in diameter, ovate-spherical, blunt, bluish-black.

3. Var. Hellotiido or Villotuda.

Fruit about an inch long, egg-shaped ; pericarp outside dark- red, inside violet.

4. Yar. Redondillo.

Fruit ovate- spherical, nearly an inch long. Pericarp outside bluish-black, inside whitish. A rich yielder.

5. Yar. ovalis, Clem.

Lechin, Picholin, Acquillo. (French : Saurine.) Fruit broad- oval, two-thirds of an inch long. A copious yielder.

6. Yar. argentata, Clem.

Nevadillo bianco ; Doncel ; Zorzalena ; Moradillo ; Oji- blanco ; Olivo lucio. Fruit broad-ovate, an inch long, very blunt, not oblique. Quality and quantity of oil excellent.

7. Yar. Varal bianco.

(French : Blanquette.) Fruit ovate, globular, three-fourths of an inch long, neither pointed nor oblique, outside blackish- red.

8. Yar. Empeltre.

Fruit ovate, an inch long, equable. Rich in oil of excellent quality, also one of the best for pickles. Pericarp outside violet, inside white.

9. Yar. Hacimal.

(French : Bouteillan, Boutiniene, Eibien, Eapugette.) Fruit violet-colored, globose-ovate., about an inch long; neither pointed nor oblique. Bears regularly also on less fertile soil, and is one of the earliest to ripen.

10. Var. Varal negro.

Alameno. (French: Cayon, Nasies.) Fruit violet-black, spotted, globose-ovate, nearly an inch, long, somewhat pointed. Bears richly.

11. Var. Colclionudo.

Fruit spheric, outside red, inside white, one inch in diameter, slightly pointed. Produces a large quantity of good oil.

12. Var. Ojillo de Liebre.

Ojo de Liebre. Fruit nearly spheric, outside violet-black ; about one inch long, somewhat oblique. One of the less early varieties.

13. Var. Garrasquena.

(French : E-edouan de Cotignat.) Fruit black-red, almost spherical, slightly oblique, about an inch long. Valuable both for oil and- preserves, but liable to be attacked by various insects.

14. Var. Hispalensis, Clem.

G-ordal •, Ocal ; Olivo real. Fruit black-grey, oblique, spherical, measuring fully an inch. Kather a large and quick- growing tree. Fruit used in the green state for preserves, not used for table-oil.

15. Var. Verdejo.

Verdial. (French : Verdal, Verdan.) Fruit black-violet, oblique-spheric, pointed, about one inch long. Furnishes good oil and resists best of all the cold.

B. — Varieties of late maturation, for warmer localities :—

16. Var. maxima, Clem.

Madrileno ; Oivo morcal. Fruit over, an inch long, cordate - globose, strongly pointed. Less valuable for oil than for preserves.

17. Var. rostrata, Clem.

Cornicabra. (French : Cournaud, Corniaud, Courgnale, PL de Solon, PI. de la Fane ; Cayon, Eapunier, G-rasse.) Strong and tall, less tender. Fruit black-reddish, over an inch long, oval, much pointed. Good for oil.

18. Var. ceratocarpa, Clem.

Cornezuelo. (French : Odorant, Luquoise, Luques.) Fruit fully an inch long, oval, pointed.

on

19. Yar. Javaluno.

Fruit black-grey, over an inch long, egg-shaped, some- what oblique, gradually pointed. Eich in good oil ; can also be chosen for preserves ; much subject to attacks of insects.

20. Var. Picudo.

Eetudilla. Eruit fully an inch long, egg-shaped, blunt at the base, pointed at the apex, with black-grey pulp. Peri- carp easily separable. Employed both for oil and pre- serves.

21. Yar. Nevadillo negro.

Emit egg-shaped, fully an inch long, with turned pointed apex. One of the richest of all varieties in yield. Endures considerable cold and ripens not quite late.

All these Spanish varieties show rather long lanceolate leaves of nlore or less width.

FBENCH YAEIETIES.

(Some verging into the Spanish kinds.)

22. Yar. angulosa, Grouan. Galliningue, Laurine. Eor preserves.

23. Yar. Rouget.

Marvailletto. Produces a fine oil.

24. Yar. atrorubens, Grouan.

Salierne, Sayerne. Eruit dusted white. Eurnishes one of the best of oils.

25. Yar. variegata, Grouan.

Marbee, Pigale, Pigau. Purple fruit with white spots.

26. Yar. Le Palma.

Oil very sweet, but not largely produced.

27. Yar. atrovirens, Eos.

Pointue, Punchuda. Eruit large with good oil.

28. Yar. rubicans, Eos.

Eougette. Putainen small. Yield annual and large.

29. Yar. alba, Eos.

Olive blanche, Blancane, Yierge. This with many others omitted on this occasion is an inferior variety.

1)1

30. Var. Caillet Rowje.

Figanier. Small tree. Fruit large, red. Oil good and produced in quantity.

31. Var. Caillet Blanche.

Fruit almost white, produced annually and copiously, yield- ing a rather superior oil.

32. Var. Eaymet.

Fruit large, reddish. Oil copious and fine. This variety prefers flat country.

33. Var. Cotiynac.

Pardigniere. Fruit middle-sized, blunt. Oil obtained in quantity and of excellent quality. This wants much pruning.

34. Var. jBermillaon.

Vermilion. Yields also table-oil and resists cold well.

Many other apparently desirable varieties occur, among which the Italian Oliva d'ogni mese ID ay be mentioned, which ripens fruits several times in the year, and furnishes a pleasant oil and also berries for preserves.

Onobrychis sativa, La Marck.*

The Sanfoin or Cocks-head Plant.' South and Middle Europe, Middle Asia. A deep-rooting perennial fodder- herb, fond of marly soil, and living in dry localities. It is thus well adapted also for the limestone formation of the lower Murray Eiver.

Ophelia CMrata, Grisebach. (.AgatJiotes Chirata,T>. Don.)

Widely dispersed over the higher mountain regions of India. A perennial herb, considered as one of the best of tonics ; it possesses also febrifugal and antarthritic properties. Its administration in the form of an infusion, prepared with cold water, is the best. Besides O. elegans, Wight., some of the other Upper Indian, Chinese and Japanese species deserve probaly equal attention.

Opuntia coccinellifera, Miller.

Mexico and West India. The Cochineal Cactus. On this and O. Tuna, O. Hernandezii and perhaps a few others subsists the Coccus, which o tiers the costly Cochineal dye. Three gatherings can be effected in the year. About 1200

9-2

tons used to be imported annually into Britain alone, and a good deal also to other countries, valued at about £400 for the ton. The precious Carmin-pigment is prepared from Cochineal.

Opuntia elatior, Miller.

Central America, A hedge plant with formidable thorns.

Opuntia Ficus Indica, Miller.

Central America, north as far as Florida. Serves for hedges. Pulp of fruit edible.

Opuntia Hernandezii, Candolle.

Mexico. Affords also food for the Coccus Cacti.

Opuntia spinosissima, Miller.

Mexico and "West India. Stem columnar with pendant branches. Also a good hedge-plant.

Opuntia Tuna, Miller.

West India, Ecuador, New Granada, Mexico. Irrespective of its value as the principal Cochineal plant, this Cactus is also of use for hedges. It will attain a height of 20 feet. The pulp of the fruit is edible. With the other species hardy at least in our lowlands.

Opuntia vulgaris, Miller.

Central America, northward to Georgia, southward to Peru. Adapted for hedges and like the rest inflammable, thus par- ticularly valuable along Railway-lines. The fruit almost smooth, also eatable. A dye can also be prepared from its pulp and that of allied species. Numerous other species are here industrially eligible for hedging purposes.

Origanum Dictamnus, L.

Candia. Like the following a scent-plant of somewhat shrubby growth.

Origanum Majorana, L.

North Africa, Middle Asia, Arabia. A perennial herb, used for condiment, also for the distillation of its essential oil.

Origanum Maru, L.

Palestine. Perennial and vcrv odorous.

Origanum Onites, L.

Countries at the Mediterranean Sea. Somewhat shrubby and strongly scented.

Origanum vulgare, L.

The ordinary Marjoram. All Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. A scented herb of perennial growth, containing a peculiar volatile oil. It prefers limestone soil. O. Jiirtum, Link., O. virens HoiFinannsegg and O. normale D. Don, are closely allied plants of similar use. Several other Majorams, chiefly Mediterranean, are of value.

Ornithopus sativus, Brotero.

South Europe and North Africa. An annual herb, larger than the ordinary Birdsfoot- clover. It is valuable as a fodder-plant on sterile soil.

Oryza sativa, L.*

The Rice-plant. South Asia and North Australia. Annual like most cereals. The many rivulets in our ranges afford ample opportunities for irrigating rice-fields : but these can be formed with full advantage only in the warmer parts of the colony, where rice will ripen as well as in Italy, China, or the Southern States of the American Union. Among the numerous varieties of Indian Rice may be noted as prominent sorts : The Early Rice, which ripens in four months and is not injured by saline inundations. The hardier Mountain Rice, which can be raised on compara- tively dry ground, and which actually perishes under lengthened inundation, but which is less productive. The Glutinous Rice, which succeeds as well in wet as almost dry places, and produces black or reddish grains. In the rich plains of Lombardy, irrigated from the Alps, the average crop is estimated at 48 bushels for the acre annually. The spirit distilled from Rice and molasses is known as Arrack.

Oryza latifolia, Humb. and Bonpl.

Central America. This species is said to be perennial and to attain a height of 18 feet. It deserves here trial- culture, and may prove a good fodder-grass on wet land in warm localities. O. perennis, Moench., seems closely allied.

94

Oxalis crassicaulis, Zuccar.

Peru. This seems one of the best of those Woodsorrels, which yield a tuberous edible root. Amongst others O. tuberosa, Mol. and O. succulenta, Barn, from Chili, as well as 0. carnosa Mol. and 0. conorrliiza Jacq. from Paraguay, might be tried for their tubers.

Pachyrrhizus angulatus, Rich.

From Central America rendered spontaneous in many tropical countries. A climber, the horizontal starchy roots of which attain a length of 8 feet and a thickness of many inches. It requires rich soil. The root is edible, though inferior to Yam. Prom the stems a tough fibre is obtained. The plant proved hardy at Sydney.

Paliurus ramosissinms, Poir. (P. Aulletia, Schult.)

China and Japan. A thorny tree, which could be utilized for hedging.

Paliurus Spina Christ!, Mill. (P. aculeatus, Lam.)

The Christ Thorn. From the Mediterranean Sea to Nepaul. A deciduous bush or finally tree, which can be trimmed into hedges.

Panicum amarum, Elliot.

North America. A perennial species, fit to be grown on drifting coast-sand.

Panicum barbinode, Trinius.

Brazil. Valuable as a fodder-grass.

Panicum ciliare, Retzius.

From South Europe and Southern Asia spread through all countries with a warm climate, but apparently also indi- genous in East Australia. It readily disseminates itself on barren ground, and is likely to add to the value of our desert-pastures, although it is annual. Stock relish this grass. P. sanguinale, L. and P. glabrum, Graudin, are allied species.

Panicum Crus-Galli, L.

The Barn-yard Grass. Occurring now in all warm countries, but probably of Oriental origin, as it seems not recorded in

95

ancient classic literature. A rich but annual grass of ready spontaneous dispersion. P. colonum, L. and P. Crus-Gorvi L. are varieties of it. Regarded by R. Brown as indigenous to Eastern and Northern Australia, where many other excellent fodder-species occur, some perennial. It will succeed also on somewhat saline soil, particularly on brackish water-courses.

Panicum decomposition, R. Brown. (P. laevinode, Lindl.) The Australian Millet. . One of the most spacious of native nutritious grasses. The aborigines convert the small millet- like grains into cakes. This grass will thrive on poor soil.

Panicum frumentaceum, Roxb.

The Sharnalo or Deccan Grass. Probably introduced from tropical Africa into South Asia. It serves as a fodder-grass and produces also a kind of millet.

To this species is allied P. sarmentosum, Eoxb. from Sumatra, which is now likewise much cultivated in tropical countries. It is perennial.

Panicum Italicum, L.

This grass notwithstanding its specific name is of Indian origin, but appears to be likewise a native of North Aus- tralia. It is annual and worthy to be cultivated as a tender green-fodder, attaining a height of 5 feet. The grain is not only one of the best for poultry, but that of some varieties can also be utilized as millet. P. Germanicum, Roth, is a form of this species.

Panicum Koenigii, Spreng. (P. Helopus, Trin.) India. A good fodder-grass.

Panicum maximum, Jacq.* (P. jumentorwn, Pers.)

The Guinea- Grass. Tropical Africa ; elsewhere not indi- genous. This perennial grass attains a height of 8 feet in tropical countries. It is highly nutritious and quite adapted for the warmer parts of our colonial territory.

Panicum miliaceum, L.* (P. miliare, Lam.)

The true Millet. South Asia and North Australia, but cultivated in Southern Europe already at Hippocrates's

96

and Theophrastos' time. Annual, attaining a height of 4 feet. Several varieties occur, one with black grains. They all need a rich but friable soil. It is one of the best of all grains for poultry, but furnishes also a palatable and nutritious table-food. It ripens still in Middle Europe.

Panicum pilosum, Swartz.

Tropical America. A perennial fodder-grass.

Panicum repens, L.

At the Mediterranean Sea, also in South Asia and North Australia. Regarded by the Cinghalese as a good fodder- grass. It is perennial and well suited for naturalization on moist soil or river-banks or swamps.

Panicum prostratum, Lam. (P. setigerum, Eetz.)

Egypt, South Asia, North Australia, perhaps also indigenous to tropical America. Perennial. Recommendable for pas- tures.

Panicum spectabile, Nees.*

The Coapirn of Angola. From West Africa transferred to many other tropical countries. A rather succulent very fattening grass, attaining a height of about 4 feet. It may be assumed, that hitherto about 300 well-defined species of Panicum are known, chiefly tropical and sub- tropical, thus very few extending naturally to Europe, or the United States of North America, or Japan, or the southern part of Australia. Though mostly from the hot zones these grasses endure in many instances our clime, and some of them would prove great acquisitions, particu- larly the perennial species. Numerous good kinds occur in Queensland and North Australia spontaneously. Panicum is the genus richest in species among grasses.

Papaver somniferum, L.*

The Opium-Poppy. Orient. The capsules of this tall annual, so showy for its flowers, are used for medicinal purposes ; from the minute but exceedingly numerous seeds, oil of a harmless and most palatable kind can be pressed remuner- atively ; but a still more important use of the plant is that for the preparation of Opium, of which a quantity valued in

97

the Custom's returns at £94,455 was imported during 1S71 into Victoria, and this does not provide for a large por- tion of Morphia used in medicine. Both the black and pale seeded varieties can be us^d for the production of Opium. The return of Poppy-culture, whether for opium or for oil, is within a few months. Our milder and somewhat humid open forest tracts proved most productive for obtaining opium from this plant ; but it can be reared also in colder localities, good Opium, rich in Morphia, having even been obtained in Middle Europe and the northern United States, the summers there being sufficiently long to ripen the Poppy with a well elaborated sap. The Morphia contents in Opium from Gripps Land was at an average somewhat over 10 per cent. Opium was prepared in our Botanic Garden for the Exhibition of 1866 ; but palticularly Mr. J. Bosisto and Mr. J. Hood have given to this branch of rural industry here commercial dimensions. The Smyrna variety is partic- ularly desirable for Opium ; it enables the cultivator to get from 40 Ibs. to 75 Ibs. of Opium from an acre, generally worth 30s. to 35s. per pound. The ground for poppy-culture must be naturally rich, or otherwise be well manured ; dressing with ashes increases the fecundity of the plant. The seed, about 9 Ibs. to an acre, is generally sown broadcast, mixed with sand. In the most favorable places as many as three crops are obtained during a season. The collecting of the Opium, which consists merely of the indurating sap of the seed-vessels, is commenced a few days after the lapse of the petals. Superficial, horizontal or diagonal incisions are made into the capsules as they successively advance to maturity. This operation is best performed in the after- noons and evenings, and requires no laborious toil. The milky opium-sap thus directed outward, is scraped off next morning into a shallow cup, and allowed to dry on a place away from sunlight ; it may also be placed on Poppy-leaves. From one to six successive incisions are made to exhaust the sap, according to season, weather, locality or the knife- like instrument employed. In the Department of Somme (France) alone Opium to the value of £70,OD3 annually is produced, and poppy-seed to the value of £170,000. Our

98

seasons here, as a rule, are favorable for collecting Opium and thus this culture is here rendered less precarious than in many other countries. Our Opium has proved as good as the best Smyrna kinds. The petals are dried for packing the Opium, The main value of Opium depends on its con- tents of Morphia, for which the genus Papaver, as far as hitherto known, remains the sole source. But not less than eleven Alkaloids have been revealed in Opium by the pro- gressive strides of organic chemistry : Codein, Metamorphin, Morphia or Morphin, Narcein, Narcotin, Opianin, Papaverin, Porphyroxin, Pseudo-rnorphin and Thebain. It contains besides an indifferent bitter principle : Meconin and Meconic Acid ( Fide " Wittstein's Chemische Analyse von Pflauzentheilen.") Various species of Papaver produce more or less Opium and Morphia.

Parinarium Nonda, F. v. Mueller.

The Nonda-tree of North-east Australia. It may prove hardy in East Gripps Land, and may live perhaps in the dry and hot air of our deserts, where it deserves trial- culture for the sake of its edible mealy plum-like fruit. A few other species with esculent drupes occur in different tropical countries.

Parkinsonia aculeata, L.

From California to Monte Video. A thorny shrub, clearly adapted for the warmer parts of Victoria, where it might be utilized with the following plant for evergreen hedges. The flowers are handsome.

Parkinsonia Africana, Sender.

South Africa. A tall bush. A third species, P. micropkylla, Torr., occurs on the Colorado.

Paspalum distichum, Burm.

From India to South-eastern Australia. A creeping swamp- grass, forming extensive cushions. It keeps beautifully green throughout the year, affords a sufficiently tender blade for feed, and is exqusitely adapted to cover silt or bare slopes on banks of ponds or rivers.

99

Paspalum scrobiculatum, L.

Througli the tropics of the Eastern Hemisphere widely dispersed, extending to South-east Australia. A valuable pasture-grass. A superior variety is cultivated in India for a grain crop. This grass furnishes a good ingredient to hay. The stem sometimes attains a height of 8 feet.

Passiflora alata, Alton.

Peru and Brazil. This Passion-flower and all the following (and probably other species) furnish Grranadilla fruits.

Passiflora coccinea, Aublet.

Prom G-uiana to Brazil.

Passiflora coerulea, L.

South Brazil and Uruguay. One of the hardiest of all Passion-flowers, and with many others well adapted for covering bowers, rookeries aud similar structures. Many of the Equatorial species come from mountainous regions and may thus endure our lowland clime.

Passiflora edulis, Sims. Southern Brazil.

Passiflora filamentosa, "Willd.

Southern Brazil.

Passiflora incarnata, L.

North America from Virginia and Kentucky southward. The fruits are called Maypops.

Passiflora laurifolia, L. (P. tinifolia, Jussieu.)

The Water-Lemon. From West India to Brazil.

Passiflora ligularis. Juss.

From Mexico to Bolivia.

Passiflora lutea, L.

North America from Pennsylvania and Illinois southward. Berries small.

Passiflora maliformis, L.

From West India to Brazil.

ioo

Passiflora quadrangularis, L.

Brazil. One of the most commonly cultivated Grana- dillas.

Passiflora serrata, L.

From West India to Brazil.

Passiflora suberosa, L. (P. pallida, L.)

From Florida to Brazil. A careful investigator, Dr. Maxw. Masters, has recently defined about 200 species of Passion- flowers.

Peireskia aculeata, Miller.

West India. The Barbadoes Gooseberry. A tall shrub, adapted for hedges in localities free of frost. The Cochineal Insect can be reared also on this plant. The berries are edible. Several other species exist in tropical America, among which P. Bleo, Humb., is particularly handsome, but they may not all be sufficiently hardy for utilitarian purposes in our clime. Otherwise the Bleo is used for salad.

Peireskia portulacifolia, Haw.

West India. This attains the size of a fair tree.

Pennisetum thyphoideum,

(Penicillaria spicata, Willd. Panicum coeruleutn, Miller.)

Tropical Asia, Nubia and Egypt. The Bajree. An annual, ripening its millet crop in about three months in warm countries. The stems are thick and reach a height of 6 feet. This grass requires a rich and loose soil, and on such it will yield upwards of a hundred fold. It furnishes also a good hay, and is also valuable as green-fodder. Sorre of the many other species of Pennisetum are doubtless of pastoral value. A plant allied to P. thyphoideum occurs in China : nameiy P. cereale, Trin. This affords also millets or corn for cakes.

Pentzia virgata, Lessing,

South Africa. A small bush, recommended to be established in our deserts for sheep-fodder. Several other species occur in South Africa.

101

Perilla arguta, Benth.

Japan. An annual herb. An infusion of this plant is used to impart to table vegetables and other substances a deep red color. P. ooimoides, L., of Upper India, serves probably similar purposes.

Persea gratissima, Gaertner. . , .

From Mexico to Peru and Brazil in forest-tracts near' the coast. The Avocado Pear. Suggestively mentioned here as likely available for East Gipps Land, French Island and other mild localities of our country, inasmuch as it has become naturalized in Madeira, the Azores and Canary Islands. A noble evergreen spreading tree. The pulp of the large pear-shaped fruit is of delicious taste and flavor. Persea Teneriffae (P. Indica, Spreng.), indigenous to Madeira, the Canary Islands and Azores, is a tree with hard and remarkably beautiful wood.

Peucedanum graveolens, Benth. (Anethum graveolens, L.) The Dill. South Europe, North Africa, Orient. Annual. The well-known aromatic fruitlets used as a condiment. P. Sowa, Benth. (Anethum Sowa, E-oxb.) is a closely allied Indian annual herb.

Peucedanum officinale, L.

The Sulphur Root. Middle and South Europe, North Africa > Middle Asia. Perennial. The root used in veterinary medicine. It contains like that of the following species the crystalline Peucedanin.

Peucedanum Ostrtlthium, Koch. (Imperatoria OstrutUum, L.) Mountains of Middle Europe. A perennial herb, which could be grown in our Alps. The acrid aromatic root is used in medicine, particularly in veterinary practice. It is required for the preparation of some kinds of Swiss Cheese. P. Cervaria, Cuss, and P. Oreoselinum, Moench., are also occasionally drawn into medicinal use.

Peucedanum sativum, Benth. (Pastinaca sativa, L.)

The Parsnip. Europe, North and Middle Asia. Biennial. The root palatable and nutritious.

102

Phalaris Canariensis, L.

The Canary Grass. An annual grass from the Canary Islands, now widely dispersed as a spontaneous plant over the warmer zones of the globe. Thus it has also become naturalized in Australia. It is grown for its seeds, which form one of the best kinds of fodder for many sorts of small " cago-b'irik. The flour is utilized in certain processes of cotton manufacture, and liked for some kinds of cakes. The soil for the culture of the Canary-grass must be friable and not too poor. It is an exhaustive crop. As allied annual species of similar use, but mostly of less yield, may be enu- merated : P. bracTiystacliys Link., from Italy ; P. minor Ketz, and P. truncata Guss., from various countries at the Mediterranean Sea. Other species, including some from Asia, are deserving of trial; but the perennial British P. arundinacea, L., is too harsh to serve for wholesome fodder, nor does it furnish Canary seed.

Phaseolus adenanthus, G% Meyer.

(P. TruxillensiS) Humb. P. rostratus, "Wallich).

Almost cosmopolitan within the tropics, where irrespective of navigation and other traffic it becomes dispersed by migrating birds ; truly spontaneous also in tropical Aus- tralia. A perennial herb with large flowers, resembling those of Vigna vexillata, Benth. Cultivated for its seeds, which are rather small ,but copiously produced.

Phaseolus COCCineuS, Kniphof.* (P. multiflorus, Willd).

The Turkish Bean or Scarlet-Eunner. A native of the Orient, if Sprengel's identification is correct, according to which this plant was known in Arabia and Persia at Avicenna's time ; but according to other opinions it is a native of Mexico. A twining showy perennial, as useful as the ordinary French Bean. Its seeds usually larger than those of the latter plant, purple with black dots, but some- times also pure blue and again quite white. The flowers occur sometimes white. The root contains a narcotic poison.

103

Phaseolus lunatus, L.

Considered as a native of tropical America, but also recorded as wild from many parts of tropical Africa and Asia. Bienc nial according to Roxburgh. Much cultivated in the warm zone for its edible beans, which are purple or white. A yellow-flowered variety or closely allied species is known aa the Madagascar Bean and proved hardy and productive here. P.perennis, Walt., from the United States of Nortlr America, is another allied plant.

Phaseolus Mungo, L. (P. Max, L.)

The Green Gram. South Asia and tropical Australia. An annual very hairy plant, not much climbing. Frequently reared in India, when rice fails or where that crop cannot be produced. The seeds are but small, and the herb is not available for fodder. This plant requires no irrigation, and ripens in two and a-half to three months. The grain tastes well and is esteemed wholesome. The harvest is abouf thirtyfold.

Phaseolus vulgaris, L.*

The ordinary Kidney Bean or French Bean or Haricot. India, from whence it came to Europe through the conquest of Alexander the Great ; but apparently it is also wild ir North-western Australia. Though this common and im- portant culinary annual is so well known, it has been deemed desirable, to refer to it here with a view of reminding, that the Kidney-bean is nearly twice as nutritive than wheat. The meal from Beans might also find far augmented use., As constituents of the Beans should be mentioned a largf proportion of starch (nearly half), then much Legumin, alsf some Phaseolin (which like Amygdalin can be converted inte an essential oil) and Inosit-Sugar. Lentils contain more Legumin but less starch, while Peas and Beans are in respect to the proportion of these two nourishing substances almost alike. Phaseolus nanus, L., the Dwarf-bean, and P. tumidus^ Savi, the Sugar-bean or Sword-bean or Egg-bean, are varieties of P. vulgaris. Several other species of Phaseolus seem worthy of culinary culture.

104

Phleum pratense, L.*

The Catstail or Timothy Grass. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. One of the most valuable of all perennial fodder-grasses. Its production of early spring- herbage is superior to that of the Cocksfoot-grass. It should enter largely into any mixture of grasses for permanent pasturage. It will live also on moist and cold clay-ground. This grass and perhaps more yet the allied Plileum alpimim, L., are deserving of an extensive transfer to our moory Alps. For hay it requires mowing in a young stage. The seed is copiously yielded and well retained.

)( Phoenix dactylifera, L.*

The Date-Palm. North Africa, also inland j Arabia, Persia. This noble palm attains finally a height of 80 feet. It is unisexual and of longevity: — "Trees of from 100 to 200 years old continue to produce their annual crop of dates." Though from the sap sugar or palm wine can be obtained, and from the leaves hats, mats and similar articles can be manufactured, we here would utilize this palm beyond scenic garden ornamentation only for its fruits. It is in the oases of our desert-tracts, swept by burning winds, where the Date-palm would afford in time to come a real boon, although it might be grown also in the valleys of our mountains and in any part of our lowlands. Several bunches of flowers are formed in a season, each producing often as many as 200 dates. Many varieties of dates exist, differing in shape, size and color of the fruit ; those of Gomera are large and contain no seed. The unexpanded flower-bunches can be used for palm-cabbage ; the fibre of the leaf-stalks for cor- dage. The town Elche in Spain is surrounded by planted forest of about 80,000 Date-palms, and the sale of leaves for decorative purposes produces irrespective of the value of the date-fruits a considerable income to the town, and so it is at Alicante. As far north as the Gulf of Genoa exists also a date-forest. The ease, with which this palm grows from seeds, affords facility in adapted climes to imitate these examples, and we certainly ought to follow them in all parts of Australia.

105

Phoenix paludosa, Roxb.

India. A stout species, not very tall. Of value at least for decorative culture.

Phoenix pusilla, G-aertner.

India and South China. ,A dwarf species, likely also to be hardy here. P. farinifera, Roxb., appears to be identical. It is adapted for sandy and otherwise dry and barren land, but prefers the vicinity of the sea. Berry shining black, with a sweet mealy pulp.

Phoenix reclinata, Jacquin.

South Africa in the eastern districts. A hardy species, but not tall, often reclining. It is adapted for ornamentation. The seeds are frequently drawn into local use as a substi- tute for coifee.

Phoenix silvestris, Roxb.

India, almost on any soil or in any situation. It has proved at Melbourne a very hardy species. Its greatest height is 40 feet. Berries yellowish or reddish, larger than in P. pusilla. Where this palm abounds much sugar is obtained from it by evaporation of the sap, which flows from incisions into the upper part of the trunk, a process not sacrificing the plant, as for 20 years the sap can thus be withdrawn. A kind of Arack is obtained by fermentation and distillation of this sap. Each plant furnishes the juice for about 8 Ibs. of Date-sugar annually, but in some instances much more. About 50,000 tons of sugar are produced a yea* in Bengal alone from this and some other palms.

Phoenix spinosa, Thonning.

Tropical Africa, ascending mountain regions, thus perhaps hardy here with us. Dr. Kirk found the green bunches, if immersed in water for half a day, suddenly to assume a scarlet hue, and then the astringent pulp to become edible and sweet.

X Phormium tenax, J. R- and G-. Forster.*

The Flax-lily of New Zealand, where it occurs as far south as 46° 30', occurring also in the Chatham Islands and Norfolk Island, though not on Lord Howe'* ?^.*$ad. It

106

seems important, that this valuable plant should here be brought universally under culture, particularly on any inferior spare ground or on the sea-beaches or any rocky declivity, where it may be left unprotected to itself, as no pastoral animal will touch it. It is evident, that the natural upgrowth will soon be inadequate to the demand for the plant. Merely torn into shreds the leaves serve at once in gardens and vineyards as cordage, and for this purpose, irrespective of its showy aspect, the Phormium has been distributed from our Botanic Garden since the last 14 years. From the divided roots any plantation can gradually be increased, or this can be 'done more extensively still by sowing the seeds. In all likelihood the plant would thrive and become naturalized in the Auckland's and Campbell's Group, in Kerguelen's Land, the Falkland Islands, the Shetland Islands and many continental places of both hemispheres. Among the varieties three are better charac- terized than the rest : The Tehore, the Swamp and the Hill variety. The first and the last mentioned produce a fibre fine and soft, yet strong, and the plants attain a height of only about 5 feet, whereas the Swamp-variety grows to double that height, producing a larger yield of a coarser fibre, which is chiefly used for rope or paper making. As might be expected, the richer the soil the more vigorous the growth of the plant ; it likes moreover now and then to be overflown by fresh or brackish water, but it will not live if permanently sunk into wet. In swampy ground trenches should be dug to divert the surplus of humidity. Fibre free from gum-resin properly dressed withstands moisture as well as the best Manilla rope. Carefully prepared the fibre can also be spun into various textile durable fabrics, either by itself or mixed with cotton, wool or flax. In October last, the sale of Phormium fibre in London was 11,500 bales, ranging in price from £19 to £31. The tow can also be converted into paper, distinguished for its strength and whiteness. The London price of Phormium fibre for this purpose is from £10 to £20 per ton.

For further details on the utilization of this plant the elaborate reports of the New Zealand Commission for Phormium

107

should be consulted. One of the dwarf varieties is Phor* mium Colensoi, J, Hook.

Physalis Alkekengi, L-

The Strawberry-Tomato or "Winter- Cherry. Middle and South Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia, extending to Japan, said to have come originally from Persia. A peren- nial herb. The berry, which is red and of a not unpleasant taste, has some medicinal value. The leaves contain a bitter principle : Physalin.

Physalis angulata, L.

In many tropical countries, extending as a native plant to the northern parts of the United States and to Japan. An annual herb. Yellowish ; the berries edible. P. minima L. (P. parviflora, E. Br.) appears to be a variety and extends also into tropical Australia.

Physalis Peruviana, L.

Temperate and tropical America, widely naturalized in many countries of the warmer zones. With double inaptness called the Cape G-ooseberry. A perennial herb ; but for producing its fruit well, it requires early renovation. The acidulous berries can be used as well as a table-fruit as for preserves. Doubtless several other kinds of Physalis can be utilized in the same manner. In colder countries the P. Peruviana becomes annual.

Pimpinella Anisum, L.

The Anise Plant. Greece, Egypt, Persia. An annual. The seed-like fruits enter into various medicines and condi- ments, and are also required for the distillation of oil, rich in Anethol.

Pimpinella Saxifraga, L.

Europe, North and Middle Asia. A perennial herb ; its root used in medicine ; a peculiar volatile oil can be distilled from the root. P. magna, L., is a closely allied species, and P. nigra, ~W., is a variety. The root of the last is particu- larly powerful.

108

Pimpinella Sisarum, Benth. (Sium Sisarum, L.)

East Asia. A perennial herb. The bunches of small tubers afford an excellent culinary vegetable.

Pipturus propinquus, Weddell.

Insular India, South Sea Islands and warmer parts of East Australia. This bush is higher and rather more hardy than Boehmeria nivea ; but in fibre it is similar to that plant. P. velutinus, "Wedd., is closely allied. The few other species serve probably as well for fibre.

Pistacia Lentiscus, L.

The Mastix Tree. Mediterranean regions. A tall ever- green bush, exuding the Mastix Resin mostly through incisions into its bark. In Morocco it is extensively used for hedges.

Pistacia Terebinthus, L.

Countries around the Mediterranean Sea. A tall bush or small tree with deciduous foliage. The fragrant Cyprian or Chio Turpentine exudes from the stem of this species. P. vera, L., is inserted already among the timber trees.

Pisum sativum, L.*

The Common Pea. Mediterranean countries and "Western Asia. This annual of daily use could hardly be left disregarded on this occasion. Suffice it to say, that the herbage as a nutritious fodder deserves more attention than it receives. The green fruit contains Inosit-sugar and Cholesterin-fat. A second species, P. Aucheri, Jaub. and Spach., which is perennial, occurs in alpine elevations on the Taurus.

Plectocomia Himalaiana, Griffith.

Sikkim, up to 7000 feet. This Rattan-Palm requires moist forest-land. Its canes are not durable, but this palm is an object worthy of horticulture and would prove the hardiest among its congeners.

Poa anglistifolia, 1^. (-P. serotina, Ehrh. P. fertilis, Host.) Europe, North Asia, North America. A perennial pasture- grass, allied to P. nemoralis. An excellent grass for moist meadows and river-banks.

109

Poa aquatica, L- (Glyceria ayuatica, Sm.)

Europe, North and Middle Asia, North America. This conspicuous water-grass attains a height of 6 feet. It is perennial, and deserves naturalization in our swamps.

Poa Brownii, Kunth. (Eragrostis Brownii, Nees.)

Tropical and Eastern extra-tropical Australia, extending rather widely through our Colony. It is here mentioned as a valuable perennial species, keeping beautifully green in our driest summers, even on poor soil. The section Eragrostis of the genus Poa contains numerous species in the hotter parts of the globe. Of these many would doubt- less be hardy here and prove of pastoral value. *

Poa cynosuroides, Retz.

North-eastern Africa, South Asia. A har&!i perennial grass, not serviceable for fodder, but mentioned by Eoyle as a fibre-plant of North-western India, where it is valued as a material for ropes. In this respect it may not surpass the rough tufty variety of our own Poa Australis, B/. Br., so common on our river-bankss, from the leaves of which excellent nets are made by the natives.

Poa distans, L.

Europe, North Africa, Middle and Northern Asia, North America. Perennial. It is one of the limited number of tender grasses, suited for moist saline soil, and thus affords pasturage on coast marshes.

Poa fluitans, Scopoli. ( Glyceria fluitans, E. Brown.)

Europe, North Africa, Middle and North Asia, North America. The Manna-Grass. Perennial. Excellent for stagnant water and slow-flowing streams. The foliage is tender. The seeds are sweet and palatable, and are in many countries used for porridge.

Poa maritima, Hudson.

Europe, North Africa, North Asia, North America. Its long creeping roots help to bind the coast-sand. This grass can also be depastured,

110

Poa nemoralis, L.

Europe, North and Middle Asia, North America, This perennial grass can be grown on shady forest-land, as the name implies, but it accommodates itself also to open places, and will grow even among rocks. It endures alpine winters.

Poa pratensis, L.

The ordinary English Meadow- G-rass. A perennial species, fit for any meadows, thriving early, and able to live also in alpine localities. Better adapted for pasture than hay, but by no means one of the very best grasses, though it resists drought. It forms excellent sward, and with advantage can be used for intermixing it with other pasture-grasses,

Poa trivialis, L.*

Europe, North Africa, Middle and Northern Asia. Also a good perennial grass for mixture on pasture-land. One of the best grasses for sowing on ground recently laid dry. Sinclair regarded the produce of this Poa as superior over many other kinds, and noticed the marked partiality, which horses, oxen and sheep evince towards it. To thrive well it wants rather moist and rich soil and sheltered places.

These few species of Poa have been singled out as recom- mendable, because they are well tested. Future experiments beyond Europe will add others to lists of recommendations like this.

Podophyllum peltatum, L.

North America. A perennial forest-herb, not without im- portance for medicinal purposes. The root contains the bitter alkaloidBerberin. PodopliyllumEmodi,W&\\., occurring in the Indian mountains at a height from 6000 to 14,000 feet, can probably be used like the American species. The berries of both are edible, though the root and leaves are poisonous.

Pogostemon Patchouli, Pellet.

Mountains of India. A perennial herb, famed for its powerful scent arising from a volatile oil. P. parviflorus, Benth. and P. Heyneanus, Benth. belong to this species.

Ill Polygala Senega, L.

North America. A perennial herb. The root is of medicinal value ; its acrid principle is Saponin.

Prangos pabularia, Lindley.

Plateaus of Mongolia and Tibet. A perennial fodder-herb, much relished by sheep, eligible for cold and arid localities, and deserving naturalization on our alpine pasture-ground. Other perennial species exist . near the Mediterranean Sea; on the Atlas, the Caucasus and the Indian Highlands. P, pabularia is regarded by some as the Silphium of Arrianus.

Pringlea antiscorblltica, W. Anderson and E. Br.*

The Cabbage or Horse-Radish of Kerguelen's Island. The perennial long roots taste somewhat like Horse-Radish. The leaves in never-ceasing growth are crowded cabbage-like into heads, beneath which the annual flower-stalks arise. The plant ascends mountains in its native island to the height of 1400 feet, but luxuriates most on the sea-border. To Arctic and other Antarctic countries it would be a boon. Probably it would live not only on our shores, but also on our Alps. Whalers might bring us the roots and seeds of this remark- able plant, which seems to have never entered into culture yet. Not even its flowers in a perfect state are known. The plant was used by the celebrated Captain Cook and all subsequent navigators, touching at yonder remote spot, as Cabbage, and it proved to possess powerful properties against scurvey. Dr. Hooker observes, that Pringlea can sectionally be referred to Cochlearia. The whole plant is rich in a pungent volatile oil. Through culture important new culinary varieties may likely be raised from this plant. The taste of this vegetable in its natural growth is like Mustard and Cress, and the Kergueleu's Land Cabbage, when boiled, proved a wholesome and agreeable substitute for the ordinary Cabbage.

Prosopis dulcis, Kunth.

From Mexico to the southern parts of the La Plata States, A thorny shrub, growing finally to a tree, adapted for live- fences. This is one of the species, yielding the sweetish

112

Algaroba-pods for cattle-fodder, and utilized even in some instances for human food. As allied plants, besides the following, may be mentioned: P. horrida, Humb., occurring from the base of the Andes to the sand-shores of Peru ; P. juliftora, Cand., growing from Mexico and West India to Ecuador ; P. Siliquastrum, Cand., extending from the Chilian Andes apparently into the Argentine Province Catamarka. A short communication on the American Algaroba-trees was presented to our Parliament by the writer in 1871.

Prosopis glandulosa, Torrey.

Colorado, Arkansas, Texas. The pods of this th orny ever green shrub or tree are also succulent. It exudes a gum, not unlike Gum Arabic, and this is obtained so copiously, that children could earn from 2 dollars to 3 dollars a day in Texas while gathering it, latterly about 40,000 Ibs. being bought by druggists there. The tree attains a height of 30 feet, and its wood is excessively hard. The pods of several species are rich in tannin.

PrOSOpis pubescens, Bentham.

Texas, California, New Mexico. Likely available for hedges, with other species of other countries.

Prosopis spicifera, L.

India. A thorny tree, also with edible pods, possibly hardy here.

Prosopis Stephaniana, Kunth.

Syria and Persia. A shrubby species for hedge-growth.

PmnuS Americana, Marshall. (P. nigra, Aiton.)

Canada, Eastern United States of America. A thorny tree, furnishing the Yellow and Red Plum of North America. The fruit is roundish and rather small, but of pleasant taste.

Primus Chisasa, Michaux.

North America, west of the Missisippi. On the prairies it is only 3 to 4 feet high. Fruit spherical, red, rather small, with a tender usually agreeable pulp. Other species with edible fruit occur in North America, such as P. pumila, L.j

113

P. Pennsylvania, L., P. Virginiana, L., P. serotina, Ehrh., but their fruits are too small to render these plants of importance for orchard culture, though they may also become enlarged by artificial treatment.

Primus maritima, Wangenheim.

The Beach Plum of North America. A shrubby species, of service not only for covering coast-sands, but also for its fruit, which is crimson or purple, globular and measuring from a-half to one inch. It is not necessary to enter here any notes on the generally known species of Prunus, which have engaged already for years the keen attention of many orchard-cultivators also in this Colony. Thus we possess in this country numerous though not all the best varieties of the Cherry (P. avium, L. and P. Cerasus, LJ, of the Plum (P. domestica, L.), of the Apricot (P.Armeniaea,~L.) and of the Cherry- Plum (P. myrobalana, L.), the latter Canadian, the others European and Oriental. Information on these and other varieties, to which we have added independently also here, may be sought in " Hogg's Eruit Manual." The Almond (Amyydalus communis, L.) and the Peach (Amyg- dalus Persian, L.) belong also generically to Prunus, as indicated in 1813 by E. Gr. Hayne (" Arznei Q-ewaechse," iv., 38) and finally settled by J. D. Hooker (Benth. and Hook., gen. pi. i.; 610), for which therefore now the names P. Amygdalus and P. Persica should be adopted.

Prunus spinosa, L.

The Sloe or Blackthorn. Wild in many parts of Europe. With its fiowers it is oue of the earliest plants to announce the spring. Its tendency to throw out suckers renders the bush less adapted for hedges of gardens than of fields, but these suckers furnish material for walking- sticks. The small fruits can be made into preserves. P. insiiitia, L., the Bullace, with larger and sometimes yellow fruits, extends to North Africa and Middle Asia. Dr. Hooker and other phytographers consider P. domestica not specifically distinct from P. spinosa. Of medicinal value are P. Lauro- Cerasus, L., the evergreen Cherry-Laurel from the Orient, and P. Padus, L., the deciduous Birds Cherry, w)^;'al» extends

114

from Europe to North Africa and West Asia. These and most other species contain in their foliage and in some other parts Amygdalin. Perhaps some of the species from Eastern Asia, California and tropical America are eligible for improving their fruit through horticultural skill. The Sloe and others might with advantage be naturalized on our forest streams.

Psamma arenaria, Roem. and Schult.

(P. littoralis, Beauv. Galamagrostis arenaria, Roth.)

The Moram or Marrem or Bent Grass. Sand-coasts of Europe, North Africa 3 nd Middle North America. One of the most important of reeu j grasses, with long creeping roots, for binding the moving drift sands on the sea shore, for the consolidation of which in Europe chiefly this tall grass and Elymus arenarius are employed Psamma JBaltica, R. and S., from the Baltic and North Sea, serves the same pur- pose. Both can also be used in the manner of Sparta for paper material.

Psidium Araca, Raddi.

From West India and Guyana to Peru and Southern Brazil, where it is found in dry high-lying places. This is one of the edible Guavas, recorded already by Piso and Marcgrav. The greenish-yellow berry is of exquisite taste.

Psidium arboreum, Vellozo.

Brazil; province Bio de Janeiro. This Guava-fruit mea- sures about one inch, and is of excellent flavor.

Psidium Cattleyanum, Sabine.*

The Purple Guava. Brazil and Uruguay. One of the hardiest of the G-uava-bushes, attaining finally a height of 20 feet. The purple berries are seldom above an inch long, but of delicious flavor and taste, resembling thus far strawberries. P. buxifolium, Nutt., of Florida, seems nearly related to this species.

Psidium cinereum, Martius.

Brazil ; provinces Minas Geraes and Sao Paulo. Also yielding an edible fruit.

115

Psidium cordatum, Sims.

The Spice Gruava. West India. This one attains the height of a tree. Its fruit edible.

Psidium cuneatum, Cambess.

Brazil ; province Minas Greraes. Fruit greenish, of the size of a Mirabelle Plum.

Psidium grandifolium, Martius.

Brazil j provinces Kio Grande do Sul, Parana, Sao Paulo, Minas Greraes, where the climate is similar to Southern Queensland. A. shrub of rather dwarf growth. The berries edible, size of a walnut.

Psidium Guayava, Raddi.*

(P. pomiferum, L, P. pyriferum, L.) The large Yellow Gruava. From West India and Mexico to South Brazil. For this handsome evergreen and useful bush universal attention should be secured anywhere in our warm lowlands, for the sake of its aromatic wholesome berries, which will attain the size of a hen's egg and can be converted into a delicious jelly. The pulp is generally cream -colored or reddish, but varies in the many varieties, which have arisen in culture, some of them bearing all the year round. Propagation is easy from suckers, cuttings or seeds. Many other berry-bearing Myrtaceae (of the genera Psidium, Myrtus, Myrcia, Marliera, Calyptranthes, Eugenia) furnish edible fruits in Brazil and other tropical countries, but we are not aware of their degrees of hardinesss. Berg enumerates as esculent more than half a hundred for Brazil alone, of which the species of Campomanesia may safely be transferred to Psidium.

Psidium incanescens, Martius.

Brazil ; from Minas Greraes to E/io Grrande do Sul. This G-uava-bush attains a height of 8 feet. Berry edible.

Psidium polycarpon, Al. Anderson.*

Prom Gruiana to Brazil, also in Trinidad. A comparatively small shrub, bearing prolifically and almost continuously its yellow berries, which are of the size of a large cherry and of exquisite taste.

116

Psidium rufum, Martins.

Brazil, in the province Minas Geraes, on sub-alpine heights. This GTuava-bush gains finally a height of 10 feet, and is likely the hardiest of all the species, producing palatable fruit.

Ptychosperma Alexandrae, F. v. Mueller.

The Alexandra Palm. Queensland, as well in tropical as extra-tropical latitudes. The tallest of Australian Palms, and one of the noblest form in the whole empire of vegeta- tion. It exceeds 100 feet in height, and is likely destined to grace any shady moist grove free from frost in this and other countries, as it seems less tender than most palms, The demand for seeds has already been enormous.

Ptychosperma Cunningham!, Wendland.

East Australia, as far south as Illawarra ; thus one of the most southern of all palms. This also is a very high species, destined to take here a prominent position in decorative plantations. Several species occur in Feegee and other islands of the Pacific Ocean, and again others might be obtained from India, but they are probably not so hardy as ours. Though strictly speaking of no industrial value these palms are important for horticultural trade, and are objects eminently fitted for experiments in acclimation,

Ptychosperma elegans, Blume.

(P. SeafortMa, Miq. SeafortMa elegans, ~R>. Br.) Litoral forests of tropical Australia. Also a lofty magnifi- cent Feather- Palm. Its leaflets are erose. It may prove hardy.

Pycnanthemum incanum, Michaux.

North America. A perennial herb, in odor resembling both Pennyroyal and Spearmint. It likes to grow on rocky woodland, and on such it might be easily naturalized.

Pycnanthemum montanum, Michaux.

The Mountain-Mint of North America. A perennial herb of pleasant aromatic mint-like taste. These two particular species have been chosen from several North American

117

kinds to demonstrate, that we may add by their introduction to the variety of our odorous garden herbs. They may also be subjected with advantage to distillation.

Pyrularia edulis, Meissner.

Nepaul, Khasia, Sikkim. A large umbrageous tree. The drupaceous fruit is used by the inhabitants for food. A few other species occur in Upper India, one on the high moun- tains of Ceylon and one in North America. The latter, P. pubera, Mich.,. can be utilized for the oil of its nuts.

Pyrus coronaria, L.

The Crab- Apple of North America. This showy species is mentioned h^re as worthy of trial-culture, since it is likely, that it would serve well as stock for grafting. It seems unnecessary to refer here to any of the forms of Pyrus communis, L., P. Mains, L., P. Ci/donia, L., and P. Ger- manica, J. Hook. (Mespilus Germanica, L.), but it may pas- singly be observed, that curious fruits have been produced latterly in North America by the hybridisation of the Apple with the Pear. A bitter Grlycosid, namely Phlorrhizin, is obtainable from the bark of Apple and Pear Trees, particu- larly from that of the root, while a volatile Alkaloid, namely Trimethylamin, can be prepared from the flowers.

Quercus Mongolica, Fischer.*

Mandschuria. One of the two species, on which mainly (if not solely) the silk insect peculiar to Oak trees is reared, as shown by Dr. Hance. Q. serrata, Thunb. (Q. olovata, Bunge), the second of the principal Oaks for the production of silk, has been mentioned previously in the Accli- matisation Society's list of trees yielding timber, and has through the exertions of the writer found its way already to Australia.

Rafhia amplexicaulis, Thunberg.

South Africa. The root of this bush is sweet like Liquorice, and is administered in medicine. Eafnia perfoliata, E. Meyer, also from South Africa, furnishes likewise a medicinal root,

118

Reseda Luteola, 1J.

The Wold. Middle and South Europe, Middle Asia, North Africa. A herb of one or two years' duration. A yellow dye (Luteolin) pervades the whole plant.

Reseda odorata, L.

The true Mignonette. North Africa and Syria. A herb of one or very few years' duration. The delicate scent can best be concentrated and removed by enfleurage.

Rhamnus catharticus, L.

The Buckthorn. Middle and South Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. It can be utilized as a hedge-plant. The berries are of medicinal value, as indicated by the specific name. The foliage and bark can be employed for the pre- paration of a green dye.

Rhamnus chlorophorus, Lindl.

China. Erom the bark a superior green pigment is pre- pared. It. utilia, from the same country, serves for the like purpose. This kind of dye is particularly used for silk, and known as Lokao.

Rhamnus infectorius, L.

On the Mediterranean Sea, and in the countries near to it. The berry -like fruits of this shrub are known in commerce as Graines d' Avignon and Graines de Perse, and produce a valuable green dye. Other species seem to supply a similar dye material, for instance R. saxatilis, L., R. amygdalinus, Desf., It. oleoides,~L.

Rhapis flabelliformis, L- fil.

China and Japan. This exceedingly slender palm attains only a height of a few feet. The stems can be used for various small implements. It is one of the best plants for table decoration.

Rhaponticum acaule, Cand.

On the Mediterranean Sea. A perennial herb. The root is edible.

119

/ Rheum australe, Don.*

(E. Emodi, Wall. E. Weblianum, Eoyle.)

Himalaian regions up to 16,000 feet. From this species at least a portion of the medicinal Rhubarb is obtained, most likely several species furnish Rhubarb-root, and its quality depends probaby much on the climatic region and the geo- logic formation, in which the plant grows. Should we wish to cultivate any species here for superior medicinal roots, then clearly localities in our higher and drier alpine tracts should be chosen for the purpose. Hayne regards the pre- sence of much yellowish pigment in the seed- shell as indi- cating a good medicinal Rhubarb-plant. As much as 5 Ibs. of the dried drug are obtained from a single plant, several years old. An important orange-red crystalline substance, Emodin, allied to Crysophanic acid, occurs in genuine Rhubarb.

Rheum Rhaponticum, L.

From the Volga to Central Asia. This species together with It. Tataricum, L. fil., E. undulatum, L., and a few others, all Asiatic (one extending to Japan) provide their acidulous leaf- stalks and unexpanded flower-mass for culinary pur- poses. Rhubarb leaves can also be used in the manner of Spinage. E. palmatum, L., often considered to yield the best Rhubarb root, is an insular plant of North-eastern Asia, but may in the alpine deserts far inland become a source of the genuine root, so long ascribed to it. That is the only one with deeply jagged leaves.

Rhus copallina, L.

North America, extending to Canada. A comparatively dwarf species. This can also be used for tanning. A resin for varnishes is also obtained from this shrub.

•* Rhus Coriaria, L.*

The Tanner's Sumach. Countries around the Mediterranean Sea. The foliage of this shrub or small tree, reduced to powder, forms the Sumach of commerce. Many localities in our colony are parti culary well adapted for the growth of this bush. It is remarkably rich in Tannic acid, yielding

as much as 30 per cent., and extensively used for the pro- duction of a superior Corduan- or Maraquin-leather. The cultivation presents no difficulty. Sumach