IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 51 



Buchloa dactyloides, Torrey.* 



The true Buffalo Grass of Kansas, naturally extending from 

 Canada to Texas, forming a large proportion of the food of the 

 buffaloes on the prairies (Engelmann) . Dioecious, creeping, 

 only rising to half a foot or less. It is extremely fattening, 

 but apt to be suppressed by coarser grasses on places where 

 these are not trampled out or kept down by the pasture animals. 



Buddleya Madagascariensis, Lamarck. 



Madagascar. Of the numerous species of Buddleya, the most 

 eligible for shelter copses on account of its great size and 

 always tidy appearance, as well as vigour and celerity of 

 growth. It is ever-flowering and highly elegant. 



Bursera elemifera, J. Hooker. 



Mexico, up to the temperate plateau. This tree furnishes the 

 Mexican Copal or Elemi. 



Butea frondosa, Roxburgh. 



The Dhak or Pulas of India. This magnificent tree extends 

 to the Himalaya mountains, ascending to elevations of 4,000 

 feet. It is very rich in a peculiar kind of kino, which, accord- 

 ing to Muspratt, contains up to 73 per cent, of tannin. The 

 Lac insect is also nourished by this tree. 



Butomus umbellatus, Linne. 



The Flowering Rush. Europe, North and Middle Asia. This 

 elegant perennial water plant is mentioned here more for its 

 value in embellishing our lakes and water-courses than for the 

 sake of its roots* The latter, when roasted, are edible. The 

 plant would live in our sub-alpine rivulets. 



Buxus sempervirens, Linne. 



The Turkey Box Tree. South Europe, North Africa, South- 

 West Asia extending to Japan. This slow-growing tree 

 should timely be planted, to provide the indispensable box- 

 wood for wood engravers and musical instrument makers, as 

 yet no good substitute for it having been discovered. The 

 box-tree needs calcareous soil for its best development. 

 Among allied species B. Balearica attains a height of 80 feet. 

 Other congeners are B. subcolumellaris, B. Cubana, B. Purdie- 

 ana, B. citrifolia, B. acuminata, B. Isevigata, B. Vahlii, B. 

 gonoclada, B. retusa, B. glomerata, B. Wrightii, all from 

 West India; further, B. Madagascarica, B. longifolia from 

 Turkey, B. Wallichiana from the Himalayas, and B. micro- 

 phylla from Japan ; but neither of any of these, nor of the 



