EUCALYPTUS TREES. 519 
cending the Himalayan mountains to 5,000 feet. A 
small tree, allied to the Ramie-plant, Boehmeria nivea. 
Mr. C. Clarke regards the fiber as one of the strongest 
available in India, it being used for bow-strings. Oth- 
er Villebrunias —for instance, V. frutescens, and also 
some species of Debregeasia, particularly D. velutina— 
deserve likewise regular culture, for the sake of their 
fiber. Moist forest-tracts seem particularly adapted 
for these plants, because VY. integrifolia grows in Sik- 
kim at an elevation where, according to Dr. G. King, 
the rainfall ranges from 160 to 200 inches. The fiber 
is much more easily separable than that of Maoutia 
puya, according to Dr. King’s observations. 
Witheringia solanacea, l’ Herit. — South America. 
This perennial herb needs trial-culture, on account of 
its large edible tubers. 
Zelkova crenata, Spach. (Planera Richardi, Mi- 
chaux.) — South - west Asia, ascending to 5,000 feet. 
In favorable localities a good - sized tree, with quali- 
ties resembling those of the elms. The allied Z. ere- 
tica, Spach, is restricted to South Europe. 
Zizyphus lotus, Lamarck, — Countries around the 
Mediterranean Sea. The fruits are small and less 
sweet than those of Z. vulgaris; nevertheless they are 
largely used for food in the native country of this bush. 
Zizyphus sinensis, Lamarck. — China and Japan. 
Similar in use to the last. 
Zizyphus Spina-Christi, Willdenow. — Middle and 
North Africa, South-west Asia. Rather a hedge. 
plant than a fruit-bush. 
Zizyphus Joazeiro, Martius.—Brazil. Recommend. 
ed as yielding fruit in arid regions, 
