in Extra-Tropical Countries. 105 



Crocus sativus, C. Bauhin. 



The Dye-Saffron. South-Eastern' Europe and the Orient. The 

 stigmata of this particular autumnal flowering crocus constitute the 

 costly dye-substance. The best is collected from the flowers as they 

 daily open in succession. At any early stage of colonization it would 

 not be profitable, to grow saffron commercially; but as the plant is 

 well adapted for many extra-tropical countries or for high elevations 

 within the tropics, it might be planted out into various unoccupied 

 mountain-localities with a final view to naturalize it, and to thus 

 render it available from native sources at a later period. It has addi- 

 tional claims on account of its prettiness. Noted as a bee-plant even 

 by the ancients (Muenter). In Norway it is grown as far north as 

 lat. 67 56'. Likes calcareous light soil. 



Crocus serotinus, Salisbury. (C. odorus, Bivona.) 



South-Europe. This species also produces saffron rich in pigment. 

 The bulbs of several species are edible. 



Crotalaria Burhia, Hamilton. 



Beloochistan, Afghanistan, Scinde. This perennial herb grows in 

 arid places, and like the following yields Sunn-fibre. 



Crotalaria juncea, Linn. 



The Sunn-Hemp. Indigenous to Southern Asia and also widely 

 dispersed through tropical Australia. An annual herb, rising under 

 favorable circumstances to a height of 10 feet. In the colony of 

 Victoria, Sunn can only be cultivated in the warmest and moistest 

 localities. It comes to maturity in four or five months. The plant 

 can also be grown as a fodder-herb for cattle. It requires rich, 

 friable soil. If a superior soft fibre is desired, the plant is pulled 

 while in flower; if strength is the object, the plant is left standing 

 until it has almost ripened its seeds. The steeping process occupies 

 about three days. For the purpose of obtaining branchless stems it 

 is sown closely. Cultivated in the Circars, according to Roxburgh, 

 to feed milch-cows. 



Crotalaria retusa, Linne. 



Asia, America and Australia within and near the tropics. A 

 perennial herb. Its fibre resembles that of C. juncea, and is chiefly 

 used for ropes and canvas. Others of the multitudinous species of 

 Crotalaria deserve to be tested for their fibres. 



Croton lacciferus, Linn<5. 



Ceylon, up to 3,000 feet. Valuable for the warmer forest-regions 

 of temperate climes, on account of its peculiar exuding lac-resin. 



Crozophora tinctoria, Necker. 



South-Europe, North-Africa and the Orient. An annual herb. 

 The turnsole-dye is prepared by exposing the juice to the air, or by 

 treating it with ammonia. 



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