

in Extra-Tropical Countries. 197 



Leersia hexandra, Swartz. 



Africa, South- Asia, warmer parts of America and Australia. Found 

 by Mr. Bailey to be one of the most relished by cattle among aquatic 

 grasses of East- Australia. In the Philippines regularly cultivated for 

 fodder in the manner of rice. L. Gouini (Fournier) is a Mexican 

 species. 



Leersia oryzoides, Solander. 



Middle and South-Europe, various parts of Asia, Africa and Ame- 

 rica. A perennial rather rough swamp-grass. Other Leersias from 

 both hemispheres are deserving of introduction, if even only for the 

 benefit of waterfowl. 



Leonotis Leonurus, R. Brown. 



South- Africa. The foliage of this highly ornamental bush deserves 

 attention for therapeutic purposes, as, according to Professor Owen, 

 the leaves, when used like tobacco, are highly stimulative. 



Leontice th.alictroi.des, Linn. (CaulophyUum thalictroides, Michaux.) 



. North-America. " Blue Cohosh," or " Pappoose-root." A peren- 

 nial herb, the root of which is in medicinal use. The resin, extracted 

 from the root, contributes the caulophyllin as an emmenagogue. 



Lepidium latifolium, Linn. 



Europe, North-Africa, Middle- and North- Asia. A perennial herb 

 of peppery acridity, used for some select sauces. 



Lepidium sativum, Linn. 



The " Cress"-Orient. Annual. Irrespective of its culinary value, 

 cress is of use as one of the remedies in cases of scurvy. Seeds will 

 keep for several years, Active principle: a volatile oil and the 

 bitter lepidin. The crisp-leaved variety preferentially reared. 



Lepidosperma gladiatum, La Billardtere. 



The Sword-Sedge of the sea-coast of extra-tropical Australia. 

 One of the most important plants for binding sea-sand, also yielding 

 a paper-material as good as Sparta. Mr. Th. Christy has brought the 

 " Cross" process for textile fabrics or paper-pulp recently into use, 

 which consist in treating vegetable fibrous substances under strong 

 pressure (15-30 Ib. per square-inch) with water containing about 3 

 per cent, of Thiolyte. 



Lepironia mucronata, Cl. Richard. 



East- Australia, Malayan Archipelagus, East-Indies, South-China, 

 Madagascar. This rush is cultivated (like Rice) in China for textile 

 purposes, but in poor soils the manure impairs its strength. The 

 plant renews itself by sprouts from its perennial root. It attains a 

 height of 7 feet; the stems are beaten flat, to fit them to be woven or 

 plaited for either bed-mats and bags or especially for mat-sails, the 

 latter being the most extensively used for the junks in China; 

 further, the plant is utilized for making the floor-matting, which is 



