143 



Sesbania aculeata, Persoon. 



The Dancki. Intra-tropical and sub-tropical Asia, Africa 

 and Australia. This tall annual plant has proved adapted 

 for our desert-regions. It yields a tough fibre for ropes, 

 nets and cordage, valued at from 30 to 40 for the ton 

 Several congeneric plants can be equally well utilized. 



Shepherdia argentea, Nuttall. 



The Buffalo Berry. From the Missouri to Hudson's Bay. 

 This bush bears red acidulous edible berries. 



Sison Amomum, L. 



Middle and South Europe. A herb of one or two years' 

 duration. It grows best on soil rich in lime. The seeds 

 can be used for condiment. 



Smilax officinalis, Humboldt. 



New Granada and other parts of Central America. This 

 climbing shrub produces at least a portion of the Columbian 

 Sarsaparilla. 



Smilax medica^ Cham, and Schl. 



Mexico. This plant produces mainly the Sarsaparilla root of 

 that country. 



Smilax papyracea, Duhamel. 



Guyana to Brazil. The origin of the principal supply of 

 Brazilian Sarsaparilla is ascribed to this species, although 

 several others of this genus, largely represented in Brazil, 

 may yield the medicinal root also. In our fern- tree gullies 

 these plants would likely succeed in establishing themselves. 

 Smilax australis, E. Br., extends from the tropical coast- 

 parts of Australia to East Gipps Land. Neither this, nor 

 the East Australian S. glycyphylla, Smith, nor the New 

 Zealand JRipogonum scandens, Forst., have ever been sub- 

 jected to accurate therapeutic tests, and the same may be 

 said of numerous other Smilaces, scattered through the 

 warmer countries of the globe. The Italian Sarsaparilla, 

 which is derived from the Mediterranean S, aspera, L., has 

 been introduced into medicine. 



