94 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



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Cyperus textilis, Thunberg. (Cyperus vaginatus, R. Brown.) 



Widely dispersed over the Australian continent, also occur- 

 ring in Southern Africa. It is restricted to swampy localities, 

 and thus is not likely to stray into ordinary fields. In the 

 colony of Victoria it is the best indigenous fibre plant, and 

 it is likewise valuable as being with ease converted into 

 pulp for good writing paper, as shown by me some years 

 ago. Its perennial growth allows of regular annual cutting. 

 Within Victorian territory this Galingale rush is particularly 

 common on the Murray flats. The natives there use this as 

 well as Carex tereticaulis (F. v. M.) for nets. 



Cytisus SCOparius, Link. (Spartium scoparium, Linne.) 



The Broom Bush. Europe, North Asia. Of less significance 

 as a broom plant than as one of medicinal value. It can also 

 be used for tanning purposes. Most valuable for arresting 

 drift sand. An alkaloid (spartein) and a yellow dye (scopa- 

 rin) are obtainable from this Broom bush. 



Daerydium Colensoi, Hooker. 



New Zealand. A beautiful tree, growing 50 feet in height and 

 producing hard and incorruptible timber ; chiefly eligible for 

 our Alpine regions. 



Daerydium cupressinum, Solander. 



New Zealand. Native name, Rima ; the Red Pine of the colo- 

 nists. This stately tree attains the height of 200 feet, and 

 furnishes a hard and valuable wood, very lasting for fences 

 but readily decaying in water- works. Professor Kirk recom- 

 mends the timber on account of its great strength for girders 

 and heavy beams anywhere under cover. With other New 

 Zealand conifers particularly eligible for forest valleys. A most 

 suitable tree for cemeteries, on account of its pendulous 

 branches. 



Daerydium Franklini, Hooker fil. 



Huon Pine of Tasmania ; only found in moist forest recesses, 

 and might be planted in dense fern- tree gullies. Height of 

 tree, 100 feet ; stem circumference, 20 feet. The wood is 

 highly esteemed for ship-building and various artisans' work. 



Daerydium Kirkii, F. v. Mueller. 



New Zealand. The " Manoao." A pyramidal tree, attaining 

 80 feet in height ; stem a diameter of 4 feet. Timber of a 

 reddish colour and extreme durability (Professor Kirk). Bears 

 seeds abundantly. 



