IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 319 



Even in the scorching heat and the arid sands of the Sahara 

 the Atocha maintains itself, and it may thus yet be destined 

 to play an important part in the introduced vegetation of any 

 arid places of desert tracts, particularly where lime and gypsum 

 exist. The very tenacious fibre resists decay and is much 

 employed for the manufacture of ropes, also for baskets, mats, 

 hats, and other articles. During 1870 the import of Esparto 

 ropes into England was 18,500 tons, while the raw material 

 to the extent of about 130,000 tons was imported. Extensive 

 culture of this grass has commenced in the south of France. 

 It is pulled once a year, in the earlier part of the summer. 

 The propagation can be effected from seeds, but is done usually 

 by division of the root. Ten tons of dry Esparto, worth from 

 4 to 5 each, can under favourable circumstances be obtained 

 from an acre. The supply has fallen short of the demand. 

 Good writing-paper is made from Esparto without admixture ; 

 the process is similar to that for rags, but cleaner. The price 

 of Esparto paper ranges from 40 to 50 for the ton. Stipa 

 arenaria (Brot.) is a closely allied and still taller species, con- 

 fined to Spain and Portugal. Consul W. P. Mark deserves 

 great praise for having brought the Atocha into commercial 

 and manufactural recognition. Stipa pennata, S. capillata, 

 and S. elegantissima will grow in pure sand. 



Streblus asper, Loureiro. 



South Asia. This bears a good recommendation for live 

 fences, in being a shrub of remarkable closeness of branches. 



Styrax officinale, Linne. 



Countries on the Mediterranean Sea. A tall bush or small 

 tree. The fragrant solid storax resin exudes from this plant, 

 or is particularly obtained by pressure of the bark. 



Swertia Chirata, Bentham. (Ophelia Chirata, Grisebach.) 



Widely dispersed over the higher mountain regions of India. 

 A perennial herb, considered as one of the best of tonics ; it 

 possesses also febrifugal and antarthritic properties. Its ad- 

 ministration in the form of an infusion prepared with cold 

 water is the best. Besides O. elegans (Wight), some of the 

 other Upper Indian, Chinese, and Japanese species deserve 

 probably equal attention. Hanbury and Fliickiger mention 

 as chiratas or chirettas of Indian bazaars : Ophelia angustifolia 

 (D. Don), O. densiflora (Grisebach), O. elegans (Wight), and 

 O. multiflora (Dalzell), besides species of Exacum and Andro- 

 graphis. All come from the cooler uplands. 



