

IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 33 



Aristida prodigiosa, Welwitsch.* 



Angola, on the driest sand-hills. A perennial fodder-grass, of which 

 the discoverer speaks in glowing terms of praise. In the West 

 African desert country, in places bare of almost all other vegetation, 

 zebras, antelopes and hares resort with avidity to this grass ; it 

 affords in the dry season there also almost the only fodder for 

 domestic grazing animals. Moreover this seems to indicate that 

 the closely cognate A. plumosa, L., and A. ciliata, Desf., of the 

 countries at or near the Mediterranean Sea, might likewise be 

 encouraged in their natural or for cultural growth. All feathery 

 grasses are besides among the most lovely for minor decorative 

 purposes or designs, and this may also be said of the Australian 

 plumous Stipa elegantissima, La Billardiere. 



Aristolochia Indica, Linne. 



Tropical Asia and Polynesia. A perennial climber ; the leaves 

 famed as an alexipharmic. Can only be grown in places free from 

 frost. 



Aristolochia recurvilabra, Hance. 



The green Putchuck of China. A medicinal plant, largely obtained 

 at Ningpo. The present value of its export is from 20,000 to 

 30,000 annually. 



Aristolochia serpentaria, Linne. 



The Snake-Root of North America. The root of this trailing herb 

 is valuable in medicine ; it contains a peculiar volatile oil. Several 

 other Aristolochise deserve culture for medicinal purposes, for 

 instance, Aristolochia ovalifolia (the Guaco) and A. anguicida, from 

 the mountains of Central America. 



Aristotelia Macqui, L'Heritier. 



Chili. The berries of this shrub, though small, have the pleasant- 

 taste of bilberries, and are largely consumed in Chili. The plant 

 would thrive in our forest-valleys. 



Arnica montana, Linne. 



Colder parts of Europe. This pretty herb is perennial, and of 

 medicinal value. It is eligible for our sub-alpine regions. The 

 active principles are arnicin, volatile oil, caproic and caprylic acid. 



Arracacha xanthorrhiza, Bancroft. 



Mountain regions of Central America. An umbelliferous herb. 

 The roots are nutritious and palatable. There are yellow, purple, 

 and pale varieties. 



