IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 249 



Pistacia Terebinthus, Linne. 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea. A tall bush or 

 small tree with deciduous foliage. The fragrant Cyprian or 

 Chio turpentine exudes from the stem of this species. 



Pistacia vera, Linne. 



Indigenous in the Orient, as far as Persia. A deciduous tree, 

 30 feet high ; yielding the Pistacio-nuts of commerce, re- 

 markable for their green almond-like kernels. The likewise 

 deciduous P. Atlantica (Desfontaines) and the evergreen South 

 European P. lentiscus (L.), furnishing the mastic, rarely grow 

 to the size of large trees. 



Pisum sativum, Linne. 



The Common Pea. Mediterranean countries and Western 

 Asia. This annual of daily use could hardly be left disregard- 

 ed on this occasion. Suffice it to say that the herbage as a 

 nutritious fodder deserves more attention than it receives. The 

 green fruit contains inosit-sugar and cholestrin fat. For field 

 culture a sandy calcareous loam should be chosen for this plant, 

 to ensure rich and safe harvests. Peas after four years'* ex- 

 posure to the extreme frosts of Polaris Bay retained their 

 vitality. A second species, P. Aucheri (Jaub. and Spach), 

 which is perennial, occurs in Alpine elevations on the Taurus. 



Pittosporum tenuifolium, Brinks and Bolander. 



New Zealand. This with P. eugenioides has proved very 

 suitable for tall garden-hedges, for which these and several 

 other species were first brought into notice by the writer. 



Pittosporum imdulatum, Ventenat. 



South-East Australia. This tree with P. bicolor (Hooker) 

 produces a wood well adapted for turners' purposes and also as 

 a substitute for boxwood (Oliver). The flowers furnish a 

 highly fragrant volatile oil on distillation. 



Planer a aquatica, Gmelin. 



North America. An elm-like tree, which can be chosen for 

 plantations in wet localities. The wood is hard and strong. 



Platanus occidentalis, Linne. 



The true Plane Tree of the east part of North America, also 

 known as Buttonwood. More eligible as an avenue tree than 

 as a timber tree. Diameter of stem at times 14 feet. 

 Wood dull red, light, not readily attacked by insects ; used in 



