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species, such as M. nobilis, M. Allouya, M. rainosissitna, are 

 also cultivated for a similar starch of their tubers. 



Matricaria Chamomilla, L. 



The annual Chamomile. Europe, North and Middle Asia. A 

 highly useful herb in medicine. In many parts of the Euro- 

 pean continent it is much more extensively used than the 

 ordinary perennial Chamomile. The infusion of the flowers 

 has rather a pleasant taste without strong bitterness. The 

 flowers serve as a tonic and especially as a sudorific, and 

 possess a peculiar volatile oil. Marnibium vulgar e, L., is 

 not prominently mentioned, as it is already rather copiously 

 naturalized. 



Medicago sativa, L.* 



Orient ; now spread through Middle and South Europe and 

 Middle Asia. The purple Medick, Alfalfa or Lucerne. A 

 perennial fodder-herb of great importance, and already 

 largely utilized in our colony, perhaps descended from the 

 English Medicago falcata, which also deserves naturalization. 

 Lucerne keeps here green and fresh in the hottest season 

 of the year, even in dry and comparatively barren ground, 

 but developes itself for field-culture with the greatest vigour 

 on river banks, particularly in soil rich in lime. Its deeply 

 penetrating roots render the plant particularly fit for fixing 

 fenced embankments or hindering the washing away of soil 

 subject to occasional inundations. 



Melilotus alba, Desrouss. 



The Cabul or Bockhara Clover. Middle and Southern 

 Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. A biennial herb. On 

 account of its fragrance it is of value for admixture to hay. 

 It is also a good bee-plant. Mowers white. Odorous 

 principle : Cumarin. 



Melilotus officinalis, Desrouss. 



Europe and Middle Asia. Also biennial, or lasting through 

 several years if prevented from flowering. Contains also 

 Cumarin. An allied species is M. macrorrliiza, Pers. Both 

 serve purposes similar to those for which M. alba is 

 employed. 



