IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 105 



Dendrocalamus strictus, Nees* 



India, particularly Bengal. Grows on drier ground than Bamboos 

 generally. Its strength and solidity render it fit for many select 

 technic purposes. It attains a height of 100 feet, and forms occa- 

 sionally forests of its own. It endures great cold as well as dry 

 heat (Kurz). B.eadily raised from seeds. 



Desmodium triflorum, Gandolle. 



In tropical regions of Asia) Africa and America. A densely matted 

 perennial herb, alluded to on this occasion as recommendable for 

 places too hot for ordinary clover, and as representing a large genus 

 of plants, many of which may prove of value for pasture. Dr. 

 Roxburgh already stated that it helps to form the most beautiful 

 turf in India, and that cattle are very fond of this herb. Colonel 

 Drury informs us that it is springing up on all soils and situations, 

 supplying there the place of Trifolium and Medicago. D. Cana- 

 dense (DeCand.) is also an excellent fodder-herb (Kosenthal). 



Desmodium acuminatum, Candolle. 



North America. With D. nudiflorum (Cand.) mentioned by 

 C. Mohr as a nutritive plant for stock, and particularly adapted for 

 forest soil. 



Dicksonia Billardierii, F. v. Mueller. (D. antarctica, Labillardiere, 



Cibotium Billardierii, Kaulfuss). 



South-east Australia, New Zealand. This tree-fern is mentioned 

 here, as it is the very best for distant transmission and endures 

 some frost. It attains a height of 40 feet. Hardy in the island 

 of Arran with D. squarrosa and Cyathea medullaris (Revd. D. 

 Landsborough). It is above all this species, which should be dis- 

 seminated in warmer extra-tropical countries, thus with us also in 

 West Australia. Important also as commercial plants among fern- 

 trees are Cyathea medullaris, of South-east Australia and New 

 Zealand ; Cyathea dealbata, the Silvery Tree-fern ; and C. Smithii, 

 also of New Zealand ; because their transit in an up-grown state 

 is not attended with the same difficulty as that of the tall Alsophila 

 Australia (which attains 60 feet), and numerous other tree-ferns, 

 about 200 species now being known; they are also among the 

 hardiest of this noble kind of plants. Anthelminthic properties, 

 which may exist in these and many other ferns, have not yet been 

 searched for. The dust-like spores should be scattered through 

 moist forest valleys to ensure new supplies of these superb forms 

 of vegetation for the next century. D. Billardierii is nowhere 

 Antarctic. 



