in Extra-Troirical Countries. 209 



of the plant upwards is checked by breaking off the tops. The Bitter 

 Cassava is the more productive of the two. The yellowish tubers 

 sometimes attain a weight of 30 Ibs. They do not become soft by 

 boiling, like Aipi. 



Maoutia Piiya, Weddell. 



India, on mountains up to 4,000 feet. It is taller than Boehmeria 

 nivea, and furnishes a similar fibre, which however is not so easily 

 separated. This shrub belongs to a tribe of the Nettle-order not 

 possessing burning acridity. None of the true nettles, such as the 

 Grirardinias, nor allied stinging plants, have been recommended in this 

 index, although an exquisite fibre is derived from some, as the writer 

 wishes to guard against the introduction of any burning species, which 

 possibly might disseminate itself in a mischievous manner, and then 

 probably could not again be suppressed. 



Maranta aurundinacea, Linne". 



The True Arrowroot- Plant, or more correctly " Aru-root," inas- 

 much as Aru-Aru is the Brazilian word for flour, according to Martius*. 

 West-Indies, Florida, Mexico to Brazil. The plant is introduced into 

 this list not without hesitation, as it seems to require a tropical clime 

 to attain perfection. It furnishes most of the West-Indian arrowroot- 

 starch, although other species, such as M. nobilis, M. Allouya and 

 M. ramosissima, are also cultivated for a similar starch contained in 

 their tubers. Dr. Porcher observes, that it still flourishes as far north 

 as Florida, producing even in the pine-lands from 200 to 300 bushels 

 of tubers to the acre. General Sir John Lefroy found in Bermuda 

 100 Ibs. of the root to yield 15 to 20 Ibs. starch. M. indica (Tussac) is 

 merely a variety. 



Marlea Vitiensis, Bentham. 



Fiji, New South Wales and Queensland. A middle-sized tree, 

 generally with a gouty trunk ; wood bright yellow with fine undulating 

 rings, black towards the centre. Fruit edible (P. O'Shanesy). The 

 generic name Stylidium by Loureiro has many years priority over 

 that of Marlea by Roxburgh. 



Marliera glomerata, Bentham. (Rubachia glomerata, Berg.) 



The "Cambuca" of sub-tropical Brazil. The fruits attain the size 

 of apricots, and are locally much used for food (Dr. Rosenthal). 



Marliera tomentosa, Cambessedes. 



Extra-tropical Brazil. The " Gruaparanga." The sweet berries of 

 this tall shrub are of the size of cherries. 



Marrubium vulgare, L'Ecluse. 



Middle and South-Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia. The 

 " Horehound." This tall perennial odorous herb, though in many 

 countries quite a weed, is here also enumerated for completeness' sake. 

 Its naturalization can nowhere be unwelcome, as it does not unduly 



