in Extra-Tropical Countries. 119 



Dendrocalamus Hamilton!, Nees. 



Himalayas, between 2,000 and 6,000 feet. Height reaching 

 60 feet. The young shoots of this stately Bamboo are edible in a 

 boiled state (Hooker). It endures great cold as well as dry heat 

 (Kurz). 



Dendrocalamus strictus, Nees.* 



India, extending to Burmah. Grows on drier ground than Bamboos 

 generally. Its strength and solidity render it fit for many select 

 technic purposes. It attains a height of 100 feet, and occasionally 

 forms forests of it own. It endures great cold as well as dry heat 

 (Kurz). Readily raised from seed. 



Desmodium acuminatum, De Candolle. 



North- America. With D. nudiflorum (D.C.) mentioned by C. 

 Mohr as a nutritive plant for stock, and particularly adapted for 

 forest-soil. 



Desmodium trinorum, De Candolle. 



In tropical regions of Asia, Africa and America. A densely matted 

 perennial herb, alluded to on this occasion as recommendable for 

 places too hot for ordinary clover, and as representing a large genus 

 of plants, many of which may prove of value for pasture. Dr. Rox- 

 burgh already stated, that it helps to form the most beautiful turf in 

 India, and that cattle are very fond of this herb. Colonel Drury 

 informs us, that it is springing up on all soils and situations, supplying 

 the place of Trifolium and Medicago there. D. Canadense (D.C.) is 

 also an excellent fodder-herb (Rosenthal). 



Dichopsis Gutta, Bentham.* (Isonandra Gutta t Hooker.) 



The " Gutta-Percha " or the " Gutta-Taban " Tree. Malayan 

 Peninsula and Sunda- Islands. Attains a height of 150 feet. It seems 

 not altogether hopeless to render this highly important tree a denizen 

 of the mildest wood-regions in temperate climes, Murton having traced 

 it to elevations of 3,500 feet. The milky sap, obtained by ringing the 

 bark at 5 to 15 inches interstices, is boiled for an hour before gradual 

 exsiccation, otherwise the product becomes brittle; 5 to 20 catties 

 yielded by one tree. Genuine Gutta-Percha is only got from plants 

 of the sapotaceous order, as far as hitherto known. Besides 

 Dichopsis Gutta, which yields the best red Gutta-Percha of Borneo, 

 but is slow of growth, the following are actually drawn into use for 

 obtaining this gum-resin : Imbricaria coriacea, A. de Cand.; Mimusops 

 Elengi, L.; M. Manilkara, G. Don; Sideroxylon attenuatum, D.C.; 

 Illipe (Bassia) sericea, Blume; Payenia macrophylla, P. Leerii (which 

 affords the Sundek-Gutta in brackish coast-lands, as shown by Dr. 

 Trimen) and P. Maingayi, Clarke ; Dichopsis obovata, D. polyantha, 

 D. Krantziana, Benth. ; Cocosmanthus macrophyllus, Hassk., all from 

 tropical Asia ; Chrysophyllum Africanum, A. de Cand., from tropical 

 Africa; Achras Sapota, L., Mimusops globosa, Gaertner, from Central 

 America; but many of these often at cool elevations. Possibly other 



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