IN EXTRA -TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 221 



ripening its millet crop in about three months in warm 

 countries. The stems are thick and reach a height of 6 

 feet, the maximum length of a spike is about a foot and a 

 half ; Colonel Sykes saw exceptionally 15 spikes on one plant 

 and occasionally 2,000 seeds in one spike.^ Together with 

 Sorghum this is the principal cereal grown in India by the 

 native races, except rice. This grass requires a rich and 

 loose soil, and on such it will yield upwards of a hundred-fold. 

 It furnishes also a good hay, and is also valuable as green 

 fodder. Some of the many other species of Pennisetum are 

 doubtless of value as pasture. A plant allied to P. thyphoideum 

 occurs in China, namely, P. cereale (Trin.) . This also affords 

 millet or corn for cakes. 



Pentzia virgata, Lessing. 



South Africa. A small bush, recommended to be established 

 in deserts for sheep fodder. It has the peculiarity that when- 

 ever a branch touches the ground, it strikes roots and forms a 

 new plant ; this enables the species to cover ground rapidly 

 (Sir Samuel Wilson). Several other species occur in South 

 Africa. 



Periandra dulcis, Martius. 



Sub-tropical Brazil. The sweet root yields liquorice. 



Perilla arguta, Bentham. 



Japan. An annual herb. An infusion of this plant is used 

 to impart to table vegetables and other substances a deep-red 

 colour. P. ocimoides (L.), of Upper India, serves probably 

 similar purposes. 



Persea gratissima, Gaertner. 



From Mexico to Peru and Brazil in forest tracts near the 

 coast. The Avocado Pear. Suggestively mentioned here as 

 likely available for mild localities, inasmuch as it has become 

 naturalised in Madeira, the ' Azores, and Canary Islands. A 

 noble evergreen spreading tree. The pulp of the large pear- 

 shaped fruit is of delicious taste and flavour. The fruit pulp 

 contains about 8 per cent, of greenish oil. 



Persea Teneriffse, Poiret (sub Lauro). (P. Inctica, Sprengel.) 



Madeira, Azores, and Canary Islands. This magnificent tree 

 produces a very beautiful, hard, mahogany-like wood, especially 

 sought for superior furniture and turners' work. One of the 

 , most hardy trees of the large order of Laurinse. 



