TEREBINTH OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 409 



as no mechanical contrivance has been discovered to supersede 

 it in bringing up the nap in the dressing of broadcloth ; fur 

 which purpose it is cultivated in Yorkshire and many [»arts 

 of Europe, besides which large quantities are imported from 

 France, Germany, and other parts of the Continent. 



Teele. {See Bulrush.) 



Telegraph Plant {Desmodium gyrans), a slender erect slirub 

 of the Bean family (Leguminosaj), native of India; it attains a 

 height of 2 to 3 feet, having trifoliate leaves, the centre one 

 being of an elliptical form, about 2 inches in length, the two 

 side ones being small, about half an inch in length, which are 

 in almost constant motion, rising and falling alternately, but 

 not in regular time, sometimes resting. They are generally very 

 active early in the morning, and in large plants many may be 

 seen in motion at the same time ; their rise and fall are com- 

 pared to the railway telegraph signals. It is also known as the 

 Moving Plant, and is cultivated in hothouses as a curiosity. 



Teosinte, a French name for Eiiclilccna luxiirians, a strong- 

 growing perennial fodder grass. It is a native of Gua- 

 temala, and was first introduced into France in 1872, and 

 extended to the Colonies. The plants grow to the height of H) 

 feet, a single plant sending up 100 or more stems. It is highly 

 valued for the excellent quality and enormous yield of its foli- 

 age ; its leaves are 3 to 4 feet long and 2 or 3 inches wide. It 

 somewhat resembles maize, but is much stronger ; the head of 

 corn is contained in a sheath. It is too tender for the open air 

 in this country. At Kew, where it flowered in the Water Lily 

 house, it attained the height of 15 feet. 



Terebinth, a Hebrew name of a tree in our Bible trans- 

 lated Turpentine Tree, and by Linnasus called Plstacia Tere- 

 hinthus. It belongs to the fomily Anacardiacea?. It has 

 winded leaves similar to those of the ash, but smaller and of 

 a reddish tinge ; the flowers are small and inconspicuous. It 

 is common in the Greek islands and in Palestine, generally 

 growing solitary, forming small trees. It also extends into 

 Egypt and westward through North Africa ; it is abundant in 



