in Extra- Tropical Countries 367 



the Atocha, may in a like manner become commercially established; 

 and mainly with this view paper-samples of several grass-kinds were 

 prepared by the writer. (Vide " Report Industrial Exhibition, Mel- 

 bourne, 1867.") Even in the scorching heat and the forbidding sands 

 of the Sahara-region the Atocha maintains itself, and it may thus yet be 

 destined, to play an important part in the introduced vegetation of any 

 arid places of desert-tracts, particularly where lime and gypsum exist. 

 The very tenacious fibre resists decay, and is much employed for the 

 manufacture of ropes, also for baskets, mats, hats and other articles. 

 During 1870 the export of Esparto-ropes into England was 18,500 

 tons, while the raw material to the extent of about 130,000 tons was 

 imported. Extensive culture of this grass has commenced in the 

 south of France. It is pulled once a year, in the earlier part of the 

 summer. The propagation can be effected from seeds, but is done 

 usually by division of the root. 10 tons of dry Esparto, worth from 

 4 to 5 each, can be obtained from an acre under favorable cir- 

 cumstances. The supply has fallen short of the demand. Good 

 writing-paper is made from Esparto without admixture; the process 

 is similar to that for rags, but cleaner. The price of Esparto-paper 

 ranges from 40 to 50 for the ton. Stipa arenaria (Brotero) is a 

 closely allied and still taller species, confined to Spain and Portugal. 

 Consul W. P. Marks deserves great praise for having brought the 

 Atocha into commercial and manufactural recognition. In some 

 places it passes under the name " Alfa." Mr. Christy notes, that half 

 its weight consists of fibre, fit for paper-mills. Stipa pennata, 

 S. capillata and S. elegantissima will grow in pure sand, are pretty 

 for bouquets, must however be kept away from pasture-lands. 



Streblus asper, Loureiro. 



South-Asia. This bears a good recommendation for live fences, in 

 being a shrub of remarkable closeness of branches. 



Stylosanthes elatior, Swartz. 



South-Eastern North-America, West-Indies. A perennial herb, 

 possessing valuable medicinal properties (Dr. E. Sell). 



Styrax officinalis, Linn. 



Countries on the Mediterranean Sea. A tall bush or small tree. 

 The fragrant solid storax-resin exudes from this plant, or is particu- 

 larly obtained by pressure of the bark. 



Swertia Chirata, Bentham. (Ophelia Chirata, Grisebach.) 



Widely dispersed over the higher mountain-regions of India. A 

 perennial herb, considered as one of the bes* tonics; it possesses also 

 febrifugal and antarthritic properties. Its administration in the form 

 of an infusion, prepared with cold water, is the best. Besides S. 

 elegans (Wallich) and some of the other Upper Indian, Chinese and 

 Japanese species probably deserve equal attention. Hanbury and 

 Fliickiger mention as chiratas or chirettas of Indian bazaars : S. 



