148 



clayey or calcareous or gypseous soil, and even on the very 

 brink of the coast. But possibly the value of grasses of 

 our own, allied to the Atocha, may in a like manner become 

 commercially established, and mainly with this view paper 

 samples of several grass-kinds were prepared by the writer 

 (vide " Report, Industrial Exhibition, Melbourne, 1867"). 

 Even in the scorching heat and the arid sands of the Sahara 

 the Atocha maintains itself, and it may thus yet be destined 

 to play an important part in the introduced vegetation of 

 any arid places of our desert-tracts, particularly where lime 

 and gypsum exist. The very tenacious fibre resists decay, 

 and is much employed for the manufacture of ropes. 

 During 1870 the import of Esparto ropes into England was 

 18,500 tons, while the raw material to the extent of about 

 130,000 tons was imported. Extensive culture of this grass 

 has commenced in the south of France. It is pulled once 

 a year, in the earlier part of the summer. The propagation 

 can be effected from seeds, but is done usually by division 

 of the root. Ten tons of dry Esparto, worth from 4 to 5 

 each, can under favorable circumstances be obtained from 

 an acre. The supply has fallen short of the demand. Good 

 writing paper is made from Esparto without admixture ; the 

 process is similar to that for rags, but cleaner. The price of 

 Esparto-paper ranges from 40 to 50 for the ton. Stipa 

 arenaria, Brot., is a closely allied and still taller species, 

 confined to Spain and Portugal. Consul W. P. Mark 

 deserves great praise for having brought the Atocha into 

 commercial and manufactural recognition. 



Styrax officinale, L. 



Countries on the Mediterranean Sea. A tall bush or small 

 tree. The fragrant solid Storax-resin exudes from this 

 plant, or is particularly obtained by pressure of the bark. 



Svmphytum officinale, L. 



The Comfrey. Europe, Western Asia. A perennial herb. 

 The root is utilized in veterinary practice. S. asperrimum t 

 Sims, from the Caucasus, is recommended by some as a pro- 

 lific plant for green-fodder. 



