40 



of colonisation it would not be remunerative to grow Safron 

 commercially ; but as the plant is well adapted for our 

 clime, it might be planted out into various unoccupied moun- 

 tain localities, with a final view to naturalize it, and to 

 render it thus available at a later period from native 

 sources . 



Crotalaria juncea, L. 



The Sunn Hemp. Indigenous to South Asia, and also 

 widely dispersed through tropical Australia. An annual 

 herb, rising under favourable circumstances to a height of 10 

 feet. In our colony Sunn can only be cultivated in the 

 warmest and rnoistest localities. It comes in four or five 

 months to maturity. The plant can also be grown as a 

 fodder-herb for cattle. It requires rich friable soil. If a 

 superior soft fibre is desired, then the plant is pulled while 

 in flower ; if strength is the object, then the plant is left 

 standing until it has almost ripened its seeds. The steeping 

 process occupies about three days. For the purpose of 

 obtaining branchless stems it is sown closely. 



Crotalaria retusa, L. 



Asia, America and Australia within the tropics. A peren- 

 nial herb. Its fibre resembles that of C. juncea, and is 

 chiefly used for ropes and canvas. Others of the multitu- 

 dinous species of Crotalaria deserve to be tested for their 

 fibres. 



Crozophora tinctoria, Necker. 



South Europe, North Africa and Orient. An annual herb. 

 The turnsole-dye is prepared by exposure of the juice to 

 the air, or by treating it with Ammonia. 



Cucumis cicatrisatus, Stocks. 



Scinde, where it is called "Wungee." The edible ovate 

 fruit is about 6 inches long. 



Cucumis Citrullus, Seringe. 



{Citrullus vulyaris, Schrader.) 



Mediterranean regions. The Water-Melon. It is simply 

 mentioned here, to indicate the desirability .of naturalizing 

 it in the interior-deserts, where no Cucurbita and only a 



