in Extra-Tropical Countries. 263 



P. farinifera (Roxburgh) appears to be identical. It is adapted for 

 sandy and otherwise dry and barren land, but, prefers the vicinity of 

 the sea. Berry shining'black, with a sweet mealy pulp. 



Phoenix reclinata, Jacquin. 



South-Africa, in the eastern districts. A hardy species, but not 

 tall, often reclining. It is adapted for ornamentation. The sweet 

 coating of the fruit is edible (Backhouse). 



Phcenix silvestris, Roxburgh. 



India, almost on any soil or in any situation, down even to the edge 

 of drift-sand on the coast. It has proved a very hardy species at 

 Melbourne. Its greatest height is about 40 feet. Berries yellowish or 

 reddish, larger than in P. pusilla. Where this palm abounds, much 

 sugar is obtained from it by evaporation of the sap, which flows from 

 incisions into the upper part of the trunk a process not sacrificing 

 the plant, as for 50 years the sap can thus be withdrawn. This 

 palm-sugar consists almost entirely of cane-sugar. A kind of arrack 

 is obtained by fermentation and distillation of this sap, and also from 

 the young spikes. Each plant furnishes the juice for about 8 Ibs. of 

 date-sugar annually, but in some instances much more. About 

 50,000 tons of sugar a year are produced in Bengal alone from this 

 and some other palms. The leaves are used for mats. It lives in 

 drier regions than other Indian palms. 



Phoenix spinosa, Thomring. 



Tropical Africa, ascending mountain-tracts, thus perhaps hardy 

 in milder extra-tropic regions. Sir John Kirk found, that the green 

 bunches, if immersed in water for half a day, suddenly assume a 

 scarlet hue, when the astringent pulp becomes edible and sweet. 



Phormiurn tenax, J. R. and G. Forster.* 



The Flax-Lily of New Zealand, where it grows as far south as 

 46 30', occurring also in the Chatham -Islands and Norfolk-Island, 

 though not on Lord Howe's Island. It is also found in the Auckland- 

 Islands, nearly 51 south (Schur). It flowered in several places of 

 England in exposed positions, and was not affected by severe frost 

 (Masters). It perfected seeds even in the most northern of the 

 Orkney-Islands (Traill) and will bear unhurt a temperature of 15 F.; 

 the tops of the leaves become injured at 9 F. (Gorlie). It is desir- 

 able, that this valuable plant should be brought universally under 

 culture, particularly on any inferior spare-ground or on the sea- 

 beaches or any rocky declivities, where it may be left to itself unpro- 

 tected, as no grazing animal will touch it. It is evident, that the 

 natural growth will soon be inadequate to the demand for the plant. 

 It is adapted for staying bush-fires, when planted in hedgerows. 

 Merely torn into shreds, the leaves serve at once in gardens and vine- 

 yards as cordage, and for this purpose, irrespective of its showy 

 aspect, the Phormium has been distributed from the Botanic Garden 

 of Melbourne during many years by the writer. From the divided 



