IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 131 



Eucalyptus viminalis, Labillardiere. 



South-East Australia. On poor soil only a moderate-sized tree, with a 

 dark rough bark on the trunk, and generally known as Manna-gum-tree; 

 in rich soil of the mountain-forest it attains however gigantic dimen- 

 sions, rising to a height of rather more than 300 feet, with a stem up to 

 15 feet in diameter. It has there a cream-coloured smooth bark, 

 and is locally known as White-gum-tree. The timber is light- 

 coloured, clear, and though not so strong and durable as that of 

 many other kinds of Eucalyptus wood, is very frequently employed 

 for shingles, fence-rails, and ordinary building purposes ; also for 

 fuel. It is not so strong as that of many other Eucalypts, still 

 stronger than that of E. amygdalina and E. obliqua. The fresh 

 bark contains about 5 per cent, kino-tannin. Professor Balfour 

 observes that a tree of this species has stood since thirty years in the 

 open air at Haddington (South Scotland), attaining a height of 50 

 feet and a stem 8 feet in circumference at the base ; shelter against 

 hard cold winds is in these cases imperative. This is the only 

 species which yields the crumb-like melitose-rnanna. For fuller 

 information on Eucalypts consult my "Descriptive Atlas." 



Euchlsena luxurians, Ascherson.* (Reeana luocurians, Durieu.) 



The Teosinte. Guatemala, up to considerable elevations. Annual. 

 Kecommendable as a fodder-grass. A large number of stems 

 spring from the same root, attaining a height of a dozen feet or 

 even more. The leaves grow to lengths of 3 feet and form a good 

 forage. The young shoots when boiled constitute a fair culinary 

 esculent. Dr. Schweinfurth harvested at Cairo from three seeds 

 in one year about 12,000 grains. The fruit required ten months to 

 ripen from the time of sowing ; the three seeds furnished ten stalks 

 each about 18 feet high. The plant, particularly in its young state, 

 is remarkably saccharine. For scenic growth this stately grass is 

 also recommeiidable. Vilmorin estimates one plant sufficient for 

 two head of cattle during twenty-four hours. Mons. Thozet, at Rock- 

 hampton, obtained plants 12 feet high and 12 feet wide in damp alluvial 

 soil, each with thirty-two main stalks bearing nearly 100 flower bunches. 

 It is rather slower in growth than Maize, but lasting longer for 

 green fodder, and not so hardy as Sorghum. ' Its growth can be 

 continued by cutting the tufts as green fodder. As such it does 

 not cause colic to horses and cattle. As a forage plant it is with- 

 out a rival in climes free of frost. It likes humid soil best, but 

 resists also extreme dryness. It was first brought into notice by 

 the Acclimatisation Society of Paris, and introduced into Australia 

 by the writer. Euchlcena Mexicana might also be tested. 



Euclea myrtina, Burchell. 



South Africa. Berry small, black, but edible. To us this plant 

 would hardly be more than an ornamental bush. 



