in Extra-Tropical Countries. 265 



Phyllanthus Cicca, J. Mueller. (Cicca disticha, Linnet) 



Insular India. Hardy in Florida, 27 30', where Mr. Reasmer 

 finds it to be a desirable fruit-tree. The berries are small and acid, 

 serving for jam. Mr. L. A. Bernays admits this plant among those 

 recommended in his work on " Cultural industries for Queensland," 

 1883. 



Phyllocladus rhomboidalis, Cl. Richard. 



Celery-Pine of Tasmania. A stately tree, often to 60 feet high, 

 with a stem 2 to 6 feet in diameter. The timber is particularly valu- 

 able for the masts and spars of ships. It will only grow to advantage 

 in deep forest-valleys. Dwarfed in alpine elevations. 



Phyllocladus trichomanoides, D. Don. 



Celery-Pine of New Zealand; Maori-name, " Tanekaha." This 

 tree attains a height of 70 feet, with a straight stem reaching 3 feet 

 in diameter, and furnishes a pale close-grained timber, strong, heavy 

 and remarkably durable, according to Professor Kirk, greatly valued 

 for mine-props, struts, caps, sleepers, water-tanks, bridge-planks and 

 piles, also spars; the Maoris employ the bark for dyeing red and 

 black and yellow, according to admixtures. This species also ascends 

 in a diminutive form alpine elevations. 



Phyllostachys bambusoides, Siebold. 



Himalayas, China and Japan. A dwarf Bamboo, but hardy; the 

 yellowish canes available for excellent walking-sticks (Griffith). 



Phyllostachys nigra, Munro.* (Bambusa niyra, Loddiges.) 



China and Japan. Reaching 25 feet in height. The stems nearly 

 solid and becoming black. Has withstood severe frost in the south 

 of France and at Vienna. Known to have grown 16 feet in six 

 weeks. Bamboo-chairs and walking-sticks often made of this 

 species. A Japanese species of this bambusaceous genus proved 

 hardy in Scotland. P. viridi-glaucescens and P. aurea are perfectly 

 hardy in England (Munro); the latter withstood the severest winters 

 of Edinburgh, with F. (Gorlie). 



Phymaspernmm parvifolium, Bentham. (Adenochcena, parmfolia, De 

 Candolle.) 



South-Africa. A dwarf, somewhat shrubby plant, fit to be natural- 

 ized on mere sandy ground. Praised by Professor McOwan as equal 

 in value to Pentzia virgata for sheep-pastures. 



Physalis Alkekengi, Linne. 



The Strawberry-Tomato or Winter-Cherry. Middle and South- 

 Europe, North-Africa, Middle Asia, extending to Japan; said to 

 have come originally from Persia. Ripening in Norway to lat. 63 

 26' (Schuebeler). A perennial herb. The berry, which is red and 

 of a not unpleasant taste, has some medicinal value. The leaves 

 contain a bitter principle physalin. 



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