IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 35 



feathery panicles. As an industrial plant it deserves here a 

 place, because paper can be prepared from its leaves. 



Asparagus acutifolius, Linne*. 



In all the countries arround the Mediterranean Sea, also in 

 the Canary Islands. Although a shrubby Asparagus, yet the 

 root-shoots, according to Dr. Heldreich, are collected in Greece, 

 and are tender and of excellent taste, though somewhat thin- 

 ner than those of the ordinary herbaceous species. The shrub 

 grows on stony rises, and the shoots are obtained without 

 cultivation, A. aphyllus L., and A. horridus L., according to 

 Dr. Reinhold, are utilised in the same manner, and all may 

 probably yield an improved produce by regular and careful 

 culture. 



Asparagus albus, Linne. 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea and Canary Islands, 

 Serves for garden hedges. 



Asparagus laricinus, Burchell. 



South Africa. Dr. Pappe observes of this shrubby species, 

 that with some other kinds of that country it produces shoots 

 of excellent tenderness and aromatic taste. 



Asparagus officinalis, Linne. 



Europe, North Africa, North Asia. The well-known As- 

 paragus plant, which, if naturalised on our coast, would aid in 

 binding the sand. The foliage contains inosit-sugar ; the 

 shoots yield asparagin. Sea-weeds are a good additional 

 material for forcing asparagus. 



Asperula odorata, Linne. 



The Woodruff. Europe, North Africa, West and North Asia. 

 A perennial herb with highly fragrant flowers; it deserves 

 naturalisation in forests, containing much cumarin in its 

 flowers, and serving in Germany for preparing the "mai- 

 trank." 



Aspidosperma Quebracho, Grisebach. 



Argentina. Shrub or tree, even tall, with a wood fit for xylo- 

 graphy. The bitter bark is tannic and febrifugal (Lorentz). 

 The bark is almost as rich as that of Acacia Cebil. The leaves 

 contain even 27 J per cent.; both have the advantage of pro- 

 ducing an almost colourless leather (Sievert) . R Jean states 

 that even the Quebracho-wood contains 14 to 16 per cent, 

 of tannic and 2 to 3 per cent, of gallic acid. 



