of the Kingdom of Algiers. 427 
sweet and very nutritious, although it is apt to disagree with 
European stomachs, bringing on severe constipation, not from 
any astringency in the fruit, but probably from a mechanical 
cause, namely the seeds, which are very numerous, lodging in 
the colon. 
The Agave americana serves to make hedges of, and the flow- 
ering stem is much used in constructing huts, but ne part of the 
plant is edible: the fibres of the young leaves make a very du- 
rable cordage, and many objects of ornament and utility are 
made from it by the condamnés militaires, or soldiers condemned 
to hard labour for infraction of military discipline. 
The brushwood which covers the hills in Barbary is princi- 
pally composed of the following plants: Cytisus spinosus, Pista- 
cia Lentiscus, Quercus coccifer, and many species of Cistus, the 
most common of which are C. heterophyllus, C. monspeliensis, C. 
salvifolius, and in certain localities C. ladaniferus and C. albidus. 
Two species of heath are also common, Erica arborea flowering 
in spring, and H. multiflora which covers the hills near Algiers 
and flowers in October and November, Rhamnus Alaternus, 
Arbutus Unedo, the fruit of which ripens in winter, and is very 
good though not delicious ; Osyris quadridentata, Phillyrea lati- 
folia and P. angustifolia, Asparagus albus, with occasionally, near 
Algiers, some groups of Pinus halepensis. These plants form the 
chief features of the vegetation of the uncultivated hills. 
The natural meadows in the neighbourhood of Algiers, and 
indeed all the hilly parts of Barbary, afford excellent forage, bemg 
composed almost entirely of Leguminous plants, amongst which 
the genus Medicago holds the first rank, and is very rich in spe- 
cies. Different species of Scorpiurus, Astragalus, Ornithopus, 
Hedysarum and Onobrychis complete the list of meadow plants as 
far as Leguminous species are concerned. Hedysarum coronarium 
deserves a special notice, as it grows in immense quantities in 
certain districts, and is much relished by horses. This plant 
grows several feet high, and bears a beautiful spike of scarlet 
flowers: it is cultivated extensively at Malta, under the name of 
Silla. 
In the moist and marshy plains, such as that of the Mitidja, 
the gramineous plants predominate, and the hay is not so much 
prized. ‘The principal species are Phalaris cerulescens and Dac- 
tylis glomerata, with many Junci and a few Carices in moist 
places. The hay harvest begins towards the end of April, and 
is succeeded by the cutting of barley in May, and the wheat is 
got in in the month of June. The principal cereal crops are 
barley and wheat, the former being of the variety called siz- 
rowed; and the wheat is red wheat, which is better suited 
for making the national dish of couscoussou. White wheat is 
