IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. i 



Acacia moniliformis, Grisebach. 



Argentina. The "Tusca." The pods are used for feeding horses 

 and cattle (Dr. Lorentz). 



Acacia microbotrya, Bentham. 



In the waterless interior of South-West Australia. The "Bad- 

 jong." A comparatively tall species, which, according to Mr. Geo. 

 Whitfield, produces often 50 Ibs. of gum from one tree in a season. 

 The aborigines store the gum in hollow trees for winter use ; it is 

 of a pleasant, sweetish taste. 



Acacia pendula, All. Cunningham. 



New South Wales and Queensland. Generally in marshy tracts of 

 the interior. One of the Myall trees. 



Acacia penninervis, Sieber. 



Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. A small tree, so 

 hardy as to occupy sub-alpine localities. The bark contains about 

 18 per cent, of tannin. 



Acacia pycnantha, Bentham.* 



Victoria and South Australia. The Golden or Green Wattle 

 of the colonists. This tree, which attains a maximum height 

 of about 30 feet, is second perhaps only to A. decurrens in 

 importance for its yield of tanners' bark ; the quality of the 

 latter is even sometimes superior to that of the Black Wattle, 

 but its yield is less, as the tree is smaller and the bark thinner. 

 It is of rapid growth, content with almost any soil, but is generally 

 found in poor sandy ground near the sea-coast, and thus also 

 important for binding rolling sand. Experiments instituted by me 

 have proved the artificially dried bark to contain from 30 to 45 

 per cent, tanning principle, full-grown sound trees supplying the 

 best quality. The aqueous infusion of the bark can be reduced 

 by boiling to a dry extract, which in medicinal and other respects 

 is equal to the best Indian catechu, as derived from Acacia catechu, 

 and A. suma. It yields about 30 per cent., about half of whidb 

 or more is mimosa-tannic acid. This catechu is also of great use 

 for preserving against decay articles subject to exposure in water, 

 such as ropes, nets, fishing-lines, &c. While, according to Mr.. 

 Simmons, the import of the bark of oaks, hemlock-spruce, into* 

 England becomes every year less, and while the import of sumach 

 and ganabir does not increase, the annual demand for tanning 

 substance has since the last twenty years been doubled. A. 

 pycnantha is also important for its copious yield of gum, wlikh is ; 

 in some localities advantageously collected for home consumption^ 

 and also for export. The wood, though not of large dimensions^ 

 is well adapted for staves, handles of various instruments and 



