in Extra- Tropical Countries. 155 



Fatsia papyrifera, Bentham. (Aralia papyrifera, Hooker.) 



Island of Formosa. The Rice-paper Plant, hardy in the lowlands 

 of Victoria, and of scenic effect in garden-plantations. The pith 

 furnishes the material for the so-called rice-paper, also for some sorts 

 of solah-hats. 



Ferula Assa foetida, L. (Scorodosma foetidum, Bunge.) 



Persia, Afghanistan and Turkestan. This very tall perennial herb 

 yields the ordinary medicinal assafetida. Ferula Narthex, Boissier 

 (Narthex Assa foetida, Falconer), furnishes a very similar drug in 

 Thibet. The cultivation of these plants in adequate climes seems not 

 surrounded by any difficulties. 



Ferula galbanifLua, Boissier. 



Persia; on mountains 4,000 to 8,000 feet high. This tall perennial 

 herb might be transferred to other sub-alpine regions, for obtaining 

 locally from it the gum-resin galbanum. 



Ferula longifolia, Fischer. 



Southern Russia. The long aromatic roots furnish a pleasant 

 vegetable (Dr. Rosenthal). 



Ferula Sambul, J. Hooker. (Euryanyium Sambul, Kauffmann. ) 



Turkestan, at elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 feet. A peren- 

 nial herb, attaining a height of 9 feet or perhaps more. Yields the 

 true Sambul-root, a powerful stimulant, with the odor of musk. It 

 is also a scenic-decorative plant, and proved hardy in England. 



Festuca Coiron, Steudel. 



Chili. ' A valuable perennial fodder-grass, according to the testi- 

 mony of Dr. Philippi. 



Festuca dives, F. v. Mueller. 



Victoria, from West-Gippsland to Dandenong, towards the sources 

 of rivers, ascending sub-alpine elevations. One of the most mag- 

 nificent of all sylvan grasses, often 12 and sometimes when in rank 

 growth on forest-brooks fully 17 feet long. Root perennial or per- 

 haps of only two or three years' duration. This grass deserves to be 

 brought to any forest-tracts in mild climes, as it prospers in shade; it 

 assumes its grandest forms in deep soil along rivulets. The large 

 panicle affords nutritious forage. 



Festuca elatior, Linne".* 



The Meadow-Fescue. Europe, North-Africa, Northern and Middle 

 Asia. A perennial grass, attaining a height of several feet. There 

 are several varieties of this species; the tallest follows rivers readily 

 as far clown as the tides reach; the ordinary form is well adapted for 

 permanent pastures, has tender leaves, produces excellent, tasty, 

 nutritious hay, and is early out in the season. Langethal places 

 Meadow-Fescue above Timothy- and Foxtail-grass in value, though 



