BUGWORT OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 67 



which is extensively imported into this country and France in 

 the form of cakes, called Chinese Green Indigo; it imparts 

 beautiful shades of green to silk. These two species have, 

 within the last twenty years, been introduced to this country, 

 but are not sufficiently hardy to stand our severe winters with- 

 out protection; they, however, might do so in the southern 

 counties, and the south of Ireland. 



Buckthorn, Sea {Hiipi^oiplim rhamnoides), a bushy, spiny 

 branched shrub, 2 to 4 feet high, of the Oleaster family 

 (Elseagnacese), with linear, alternate leaves, green above and 

 silvery underneath. The fruit forms a succulent berry; it is 

 acrid and poisonous. I^ative of the sea-shores of this country. 



Buckwheat, or Brank {Fagopyrum escidentum), an annual 

 plant of the Ehubarb family (Polygonacese), supposed to be a 

 native of Central Asia, where it is extensively cultivated, but it 

 has now become widely spread in most countries. It is largely 

 cultivated in France, Holland, and the United States for its 

 seeds, which are ground into meal and made into thin cakes. 

 In this country its seeds are chiefly used for feeding pheasants. 

 The husks are largely used for packing what are termed Dutch 

 bulbs. 



Buffalo Berry {Shepherdia argent ea), a low bush of the 

 Oleaster family (Elseagnaceae), with pretty silvery lance-shaped 

 leaves. It is found abundantly in the United States and many 

 parts of N'orth America. The berries are about the size of 

 currants, and form a considerable portion of food to the Utah 

 Indians. 



Buffalo Grass {Tripsacum dadyloides), a strong - growing 

 grass, native of North America, from Canada to Texas, supplying 

 a large proportion of the food of wild buffaloes. About fifty years 

 ago it came into special notice in this country under the name of 

 Gama Grass ; highly extolled for fattening cattle and making the 

 flesh rich. It was introduced to Kew by Tradescant in 1640 ; it 

 is scarcely hardy, being much injured in severe winters, there- 

 fore it was not patronised as a fodder grass. 



Bugwort (Cimicifuga fcetida), a perennial of the Buttercup 



