IN EXTRA -TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 147 



morasses, the absorbing and exhaling power of this plant being 

 very large (Dr. v. Hamm) . A Sun Flower, according to Lacop- 

 pidan, will exhale 1J Ibs. of water during a hot day. Several 

 allied North American species deserve rural culture. The 

 return from a Sun Flower field is attained within a few 

 months. 



Helianthus tuberosus, Linne.* 



Brazil. Sun Flower Artichoke. Inappropriately passing under 

 the name " Jerusalem Artichoke/' instead of " Girasol Arti- 

 choke." The wild state, according to Professor Asa Gray, 

 seems the North American H. doronioides, Lamarck. The 

 tubers are saccharine and serve culinary purposes. As a fodder 

 they increase the milk of cows to an extraordinary degree. The 

 foliage serves well, also, as fodder. The plant is propagated 

 from the smallest but undivided tubers, placed like potatoes, 

 but at greater interstices. The root is not susceptible to frost. 

 The plant would be valuable for Alpine regions. The yield is 

 as large as that of potatoes, with less labour, and continues 

 from year to year in fairly -treated land, uninterruptedly and 

 spontaneously. The stem is rich in textile fibre. The per- 

 centage of crystalline sugar is largest during the cold season, 

 namely, 5-6 per cent. During the summer the starch-like 

 inulin prevails. This plant can only be brought to full perfec- 

 tion in a soil rich in potash. 



Helichrysum lucidum, Henckel. (H. frracteatum, Willdenow.) 

 Throughout the greater part of Australia. The regular culti- 

 vation of this perennial herb would be remunerative to supply 

 its everlasting flowers for wreaths, just like those of H. orien- 

 tale, Tournefort, from Candia, are largely grown and sold in 

 South Europe to provide grave-wreaths. Furthermore, the 

 lovely Helipterum Manglesii, F. v. M., from West Australia, 

 could, for the like purposes, be profitably reared on a large scale 

 with several other Australian everlastings. Some South 

 African species of Helichrysum and Helipterum are also highly 

 eligible for these purposes of decoration. 



Heliotropium Peruvianum, Linne. 



Andes of South America. A perennial somewhat shrubby 

 plant. Among various species of Heliotrope this one can best 

 be utilised for the distillation of the scented oil. 



Helleborus niger, Linne. 



Forest mountains of Middle and South Europe. The Christmas 



