32 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Araucaria Bulei, F. v. Mueller. 



New Caledonia. A magnificent tree, with large shining foliage, 

 doubtless not merely of decorative but also of utilitarian value. A 

 closely allied species, A. Muelleri (Brogniart), comes with A. 

 Balansse and A. montana from the same island. The New Guinea 

 Araucarias should also be introduced. 



Arbutus Menziesii, Pursh. 



North- West America. An evergreen tree, attaining a height of 

 150 feet, with a stem to 8 feet in diameter. It is of compara- 

 tively quick growth (Dr. Gibbons). It belongs to the coast tract 

 exclusively. Wood exceedingly hard. The tree requires a deep 

 loamy soil (Bolander). It would here be valuable at least as a 

 highly ornamental garden-plant. 



t 

 Archangelica officinalis, Hoffmann. 



Arctic zone and mountain regions of Europe. The young shoots 

 and leaf -stalks are used for confectionery ; the roots are of medicinal 

 use. Only in our Alps would this herb fully establish its value. 

 The root is biennial, and used in the distillation of some cordials. 



Arctostaphylos uva ursi, Sprengel. 



Alpine and Arctic Europe, North Asia and North America. A 

 medicinal small shrub, which here could best be reared in the 

 heath-moors of Alpine regions. 



Arenga saccharifera, La Billardiere. 



India. This Palm attains a height of 40 feet. The black fibres of 

 the leaf-stalks adapted for cables and ropes intended to resist wet 

 very long. The juice converted into toddy or sugar ; the young 

 kernels made with syrup into preserves. This Palm dies as soon 

 as it has produced its fruit ; the stem then becomes hollow and is 

 used for spouts and troughs of great durability. The pith supplies 

 sago, about 150 Ibs. from a tree, according to Roxburgh. An 

 Arenga occurs as far south as Japan. 



Argania sideroxylon, Roemer and Schultes. 



The Argan Tree. Western Barbary, on dry hills. Its growth is 

 generally slow ; but it is a tree of longevity. Though comparatively 

 low in stature, its foliage occasionally spreads to a circumference of 

 220 feet. It sends out suckers from the root. The fruits serve as 

 food for cattle in Morocco ; but here the kernels would be more 

 likely to be utilised by pressing an oil from them. Height of tree 

 exceptionally 70 feet. 



