36 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Astragalus arenarius, Linne. 



Europe and Western Asia. A perennial fodder-herb for any 

 sandy desert country. The species, numerous in various parts 

 of Europe and Asia, in California and some other parts 

 of the globe, deserve attention for pasture and other agro- 

 nomic purposes. 



Astragalus cephalonicus, Fischer. (A. aristatus, Sibthorp.) 



Cephalonia. A small shrub, yielding a good tragacanth; 

 and so probably also the true A. aristatus of PHeritier is pro- 

 ducing it. 



Astragalus Cicer, Linne. 



Middle and South Europe and Middle Asia. A nutritious 

 and tasty perennial herb, much sought by grazing animals. 

 It requires, according to Langethal, deep friable grounds 

 and, like most leguminous herbs, calcareous ingredients in the 

 soil. 



Astragalus Creticus, Lamarck. 



Candia and Greece. A small bush, exuding the ordinary 

 vermicular tragacanth. The pale is preferable to the brown 

 sort. 



Astragalus glycyphyllos, Linne*. 



Europe and North Asia. Succeeds on light soil, also in forest 

 regions. It has been recommended as a perennial substantial 

 fodder-plant. 



Astragalus gummifer, La Billardiere. 



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

 gacanth. 



Astragalus hypoglottis, Linne. 



In the colder regions of Europe, Asia and North America. 

 This perennial plant is regarded as a good fodder-herb on cal- 

 careous and gravelly soil, and would likely be of importance 

 for our Alps. Of the enormous number of supposed species of 

 this genus (according to Boissier, not less that 750 merely in 

 Asia Minor and the adjoining countries) many must be of 

 value for pasture, like some of the closely-allied Australian 

 Swainsonas, though they also may include deleterious species. 

 A. Hornii and A. lentiginosus, A. Gray, are poisonous to 

 cattle in California. 



