EUUALYPTUS TREES. 417 
atocha maintains itself, and it may thus yet be des- 
tined to play an important partin the introduced veg- 
etation of any arid places of our desert-tracts, particu- 
larly where lime and gypsum exist. The very tena- 
cious fiber resists decay, and is much employed for 
the manufacture of ropes. During 1870 the import 
of esparto ropes into England was 18,500 tons, while 
the raw material to the extent of 130,000 tons was 
imported. Extensive culture of this grass has com- 
menced in the south of France. It is pulled once a 
year, in the earlier part of the Summer. The prop- 
agation can be affected from seeds, but is done usual- 
ly by division of the root. Ten tons of dry esparto, 
worth from £4 to £5 each, can, under favorable cir- 
cumstances, be obtained from an acre. The supply 
has fallen short of the demand. Good writing-paper 
is made from esparto, without admixture ; the process 
is similar to that for rags, but cleaner. The price of 
esparto paper ranges from £40 to £50 for the ton. Sti- 
pa arenaria, Brot., is a closely-allied and still taller 
species, confined to Spain and Portugal. Consul W. 
P. Mark deserves great praise for having brought the 
atocha into commercial and manufactural recognition. 
Styrax officinale, L.—Countries on the Mediterra- 
nean Sea. A tall bush, or small tree. The fragrant, 
solid storax-resin exudes from this plant, or is partic- 
ularly obtained by pressure of the bark. 
Symphytum officinale, L.—The Comfrey. Europe, 
Western Asia. A perennial herb. The root is util- 
ized in veterinary practice. S. asperrimum, Sims., , 
from the Caucasus, is recommended by some as a pro- 
lifie plant for green fodder. 
Tacea pinnatifida, G. Forster.—Sand-shores of the 
