147 



administration S. anthelmia, L. is an annual plant of 

 tropical America and possesses similar medicinal properties, 

 in which probably other species likewise share. 



Spilanthes oleracea, N. Jacq. 



The Para Cress. South America. An annual herb of con- 

 siderable pungency, used as a medicinal salad. 



Spinacia- oleracea, L. 



Sibiria. The ordinary Spinage. An agreeable culinary 

 annual of rapid growth. It is of a mild aperient property. 



Spinacia tetrandra, Stev. 



Caucasus. Also annual and unisexual like the preceding 

 plant, with which it has equal value, though it is less known. 



Stenotaphrum glabrum, Trin.* 



South Asia, Africa, warmer countries of America, not known 

 from any part of Europe or Australia. Here called the 

 Buifalo-Grass. It is perennial, creeping and admirably 

 adapted for binding sea-sand and river-banks, also for form- 

 ing garden edges, and for establishing a grass-sward on 

 lawns much subjected to traffic ; it is besides of some pas- 

 toral value. 



Stilbocarpa polaris, De Caisne and Planchon. 



Auckland's and Campbell's Islands, and seemingly also in 

 the southern extremity of New Zealand. A herbaceous 

 plant with long roots, which are saccharine and served some 

 wrecked people for a lengthened period as sustenance. The 

 plant is recommended here for further attention, as it may 

 prove through culture a valuable addition to the stock of 

 culinary vegetables of cold countries. 



Y Stipa tenacissima, L.* (Macrockloa tenatisima, Kuiith.) 



The Esparto or Atocha. Spain, Portugal, Greece, North 

 Africa, ascending the Sierra Nevada to 4000 feet. This 

 grass has become celebrated since some years, having 

 afforded already a vast quantity of material for British 

 paper-mills. It is tall and perennial, amd may prove here a 

 valuable acquisition, inasmuch as it lives on any kind of poor 

 soil, occurring naturally on sand and gravel as well as on 



