in Extra-Tropical Countries. 293 



Poa palustris, Linn<$. (Poa scrotina, Ehrhart.) 



Europe, Northern Asia, North- America. A perennial grass, allied 

 to P. nemoralis, excellent for moist meadows and river-banks. P. 

 fertilis (Host) is a mere variety of this species. 



Poa pectinacea, Michaux. (Eragrostis pectinacea, Gray.) 



Middle and Southern States of North-America. This perennial 

 grass spreads rapidly over dry ground and even coast-sands. C. 

 Mohr regards it as valuable for pastures, and mentions as such also 

 Eragrostis nitida (Chapman) and E. tenuis (Gray). 



Poa pratensis, Linn.* 



The ordinary English Meadow-grass. A perennial species, with 

 creeping roots, fit for any even very dry meadows, thriving early, and 

 able to live also in alpine localities. In Greenland it is indigenous to 

 lat. 80-81 N. L. (Nathurst). Better adapted for pasture than hay. 

 It is suitable for moor-land, when such is laid dry; although it 

 flowers only once during the season, it offers a nutritious fodder, even 

 on comparatively poor soil; it resists drought, forms an excellent 

 sward, and can be used with advantage for intermixing with other 

 pasture-grasses. In the United States it is known as the Kentucky 

 Blue Grass or Pennsylvania Green Grass, and is considered one of 

 the best for lawns by Professor Meehan, as it will crowd out all 

 weeds in time. 



Poa trivialis, Linne. 



Europe, North- Africa, Middle and Northern Asia. Also a good 

 perennial grass for mixture on pasture-land. One of the best 

 grasses for sowing on ground recently laid dry. Recommendable also 

 as a lawn-grass. Sinclair regarded the produce of this Poa as 

 superior to many other kinds, and noticed the marked partiality, 

 which horses, oxen and sheep evince towards it. To thrive well, it 

 wants rather moist and rich soil and sheltered places. It is a later 

 grass than P. pratensis, well adapted for hay, and gives good after- 

 growth (Langethal). 



These few species of Poa have been singled out as recommendable, 

 because they are well tested. Future experiments beyond Europe 

 will add others to lists of recommendations like this. 



PodachSB Ilium alatum, Bentham. (Ferdinanda eminens, Lagasca.) 



Central America, up to a height of about 8,000 feet. A tall 

 shrub; on account of the grandeur of its foliage in requisition for 

 scenic effects. 



Podophyllum peltatum, Linn4. 



Eastern North- America, where it is known as the Mandrake. Hardy 

 in Christiania. A perennial forest-herb of importance for medicinal 

 purposes. The root contains the bitter alkaloid berberin. Podophyllura 

 Emodi (Wallich), occurring in the Indian mountains at heights of from 

 6,000 to 14,000 feet, can probably be used like the American species. 



