47 



Dioscorea tomentosa, Koenig. 



Ooyala Yam. India. The nomenclature of some of the 

 Asiatic species requires further revision. 



Dioscorea trifida, L. fil. 



Central America. One of the Tarns there cultivated. 

 Various other tuberous Dioscorese occur in tropical 

 countries ; but their respective degree of hardiness, taste 

 and yield are not recorded or ascertained. The length of 

 the Victorian warm season is probably sufficient for ripen- 

 ing all these Yams. 



Diospyros Kaki, L. fil. 



The Date-plum of China and Japan. A slow growing not 

 very productive tree, here recorded for completeness. The 

 fruit is yellow or pink or dark purple, variable in size, 

 but never larger than an ordinary apple. It has ripened at 

 Sydney. D. Virginiana, L., has been recorded among the 

 timber-trees. 



Dipsacus fullonum, L. 



Fuller's Teazel. Middle and South Europe and Middle 

 Asia. A tall biennial herb. The thorny fruit-heads in use 

 for fulling in cloth factories. The import during one of the 

 last years into England was valued at 5000. The plant is 

 most easily raised. The use of these Teazels has not yet 

 been superseded by any adequate machinery. 



Dolichos Lablab, !< 



Warmer parts of Africa; probably thence spread widely 

 through the tropics. An annual herb, sometimes lasting 

 through several years. The young pods as well as the ripe 

 seeds available for culinary use, but not of all varieties. It 

 delights in rich soil, and ripens in hot countries within 

 three months ; its yield is about fortyfold according to 

 Eoxburgh. The whole plant forms excellent stable-feed for 

 cattle. 



Dracocephalum Moldavica, L. 



North and Middle Asia. An annual showy scent- 

 herb. 



