in Extra-Tropical Countries. 161 



with very spreading branches, extends to a width of 120 feet. At- 

 tains an enormous age. A tree at Cairo, which legends connect 

 with Christ's time, still exists. Seven men 'with outstretched arms 

 could hardly encircle the stem. 



Fistulina hepatica, Fries. 



Europe and Asia, East- Australia, This large esculent fungus grows 

 generally on old oak-stems, but does accommodate itself to other 

 habitations also. Its introduction elsewhere is worthy of trial. 



Fitzroya Patagonica, J. Hooker.* 



Chili, as far south as Chiloe. The Alerce of the Chilians. Grows 

 on swampy, moory places. A stately tree, sometimes to 100 feet 

 high ; the diameter of the stem occasionally reaches the extraordinary 

 extent of 15 feet. The wood is almost always red, easily split, light, 

 does not warp, stands exposure to the air for half a century; in 

 Yaldivia and Chiloe almost all buildings are roofed with shingles of 

 this tree (Dr. Philippi). The outer bark produces a strong fibre, used 

 for calking ships. Like Libocedrus tetragona, this tree should be 

 extensively planted in unutilized swampy moors of mountains. 



Flacourtia Bamontchi, L'Heritier. (F. sapida, Roxburgh.) 



India up to Beloochistan. This and F. cataphracta (Roxburgh) 

 form thorny trees with somewhat plum-like fruits. They can be 

 adopted for hedge-copses with other species. 



Flemingia tuberosa, Dalzell. 



Western India. The tubers of this herb are said to be edible. 

 Another species, F. vestita (Bentham), is on record as cultivated in 

 North- Western India, where it ascends to the temperate region up to 

 7,000 feet, for its small esculent tubers. 



Flindersia Australis, R. Brown. 



New South Wales and Queensland. With Araucaria Cunning- 

 hami and Ficus macrophylla, the tallest of all the jungle-trees of its 

 localities, attaining 150 feet. Bark scaly; stem frequently with a 

 diameter of 8 feet. Timber of extraordinary hardness (Ch. Moore). 

 A noble tree for avenues. Rate of growth, according to Mr. Fawcett, 

 about 25 feet in eight years. 



Flindersia Oxleyana, F. v. Mueller. 



The Yellow Wood of New South Wales and Queensland, called 

 " Bogum Bogum" by the aborigines. Jts wood is used locally for 

 dye, also for staves as well as that of F. Australis, Tarrietia Argyro- 

 dendron, Stenocarpus salignus and Castanospermum Australe. Mr. 

 C. Hartmann mentions, that F. Oxleyana attains a height of 150 feet, 

 and supplies one of the finest hardwoods for choice cabinet-work. 

 Other species occur, among which F. Bennettiana is the best for 

 avenue-purposes. 



