in Extra-Tropical Countries. 217 



Mr. J. Clode observes, that sheep are very fond of this succulent 

 plant, and require but little water when browsing on it, ; or in cool 

 coast-districts they will do .without any water even in summer, while 

 thriving well on the foliage. Friiit with a sweetish edible pulp. 

 This species with M. australe (Haworth) forms on the Australian 

 coasts one of the most effectual first impediments to the influx of sea- 

 sand; both should be encouraged in their growth at the very edge of 

 the tide. Not less hardy than M. edule. 



Mesembrianthemum capitatum, Haworth. 



South-Africa. This perennial species, from the readiness and 

 quickness of its growth, and from the abundance of its seeds and their 

 easy dispersion, is one of the best for staying any rolling sea-sand 

 (Dickinson). M. pugioniforme (Linne) and many other species serve 

 the same purpose. 



Mesembrianthemum crystallinum, Linne". 



Countries at the Mediterranean Sea and South-Africa. Annual. 

 Recently recommended as a spinage-plant. Can be grown on bare 

 sand, which it helps to cover. Eaten by sheep. In Norway it will 

 succeed northward to lat. 69 18'. 



Mesembrianthemum floribundum, Haworth. 



South-Africa. This succulent perennial with many allied species 

 from the same part of the globe is a far more important plant, than 

 might be assumed, because " a good stretch of this is worth as much 

 as a dam" (Professor McOwan). Succulent plants like these would 

 live in sandy deserts, where storage of water may be impracticable. 



Metrosideros tomentosa, Cunningham. 



Northern Island of New Zealand. Could be grown for timber on 

 rocky sea-shores. Height reaching about 80 feet ; trunk stout, but 

 comparatively short. The timber, according to Professor Kirk, de- 

 serves attention, as one of the most durable for the frame-work in 

 ship-building, for jetties, docks, sills. Other species with dense 

 wood, occurring in New Zealand, are M. lucida (Menzies) and M. 

 robusta (Cunn.), both ornamental trees with crimson flowers. 



Michelia excelsa, Blume. 



In the Himalayas and other Indian mountains, up to 8,000 feet. It 

 grows to a large size, supplying boards to three feet in width, and is 

 one of the best timber-trees there. Foliage deciduous ; flowers large, 

 white ; wood yellowish. M. lanuginosa (Wallich) ascends there also 

 to temperate regions with M. Kisopa (Hamilton), M. Cathcartii 

 (Hooker and Thomson), M. Champaca (Linne), M. punduana (H. & 

 Th.) and M. Nilagirica (Zenker), all being tall trees. 



Microseris Forsteri, J. Hooker. 



The Native Scorzonera of extra-tropical Australia and New Zea- 

 land. A perennial herb deserving attention, as its root would proba- 

 bly enlarge arid improve through culture. On alpine mountains the 



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