134 SELECT PLAXTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



hardy, and would live unprotected in ponds and lakes of a 

 temperate climate. Though not strictly an industrial plant, it is 

 not without utility, and undergoes some sort of cultivation in China 

 for yielding its edible roots and seeds. 



Euryangium Sumbul, Kaufmann. 



Central Asia. Yields the true Sumbul root, a powerful stimulant, 

 with the odour of Musk. It is also decorative for lawns. 



Eustrephus Brownii, F. v Mueller. 



East Australia. This climber produces sweet though only small 

 tubers, which however are probably capable of enlargement through 

 culture. 



Euterpe andicola, Brogniart. 



Bolivia. Ascends to 9,000 feet (Martius), an altitude higher than 

 is reached by any other palm unless E. Haenkeana and E. longi- 

 vaginat (Drude). 



Excascaria sebifera, J. Mueller. (Stillingia sebifera, Michaux.) 



The Tallow-tree of China and Japan. The fatty coating of the 

 seeds constitute the vegetable tallow, which is separated by steam- 

 ing. The wood is so hard and dense as to be used for printing- 

 blocks ; the leaves furnish a black dye. The tree endures slight 

 night-frosts, though its foliage suffers. 



Fagopyrum cymosum, Meissner. 



The perennial Buck- Wheat, or rather Beech- Wheat, of the Indian 

 and Chinese highlands. Can be used with other species for spinage 

 and for obtaining from the leaves a blue dye. 



Fagopyrum emarginatum, Babington. 



Chinese and Himalaya Mountains, where it is cultivated for its 

 seeds. Annual. 



Fagopyrum esculentum, Moench. * 



Central Asia, growing up to an elevation of 14,000 feet in the 

 Himalayas. The ordinary Buck- Wheat. This annual herb 

 succeeds on the poorest soil ; clayey soil yields more foliage but less 

 grain. The crushed amylaceous seeds can be converted by boiling 

 or baking into a palatable and wholesome food. Starch has also 

 recently been prepared from the seeds as an article of trade. As 

 an agrarian plant it can with advantage be raised as a first crop on 

 sandy not too dry heath land, newly broken up, for green manure. 

 It gives a good green fodder, serves as admixture to hay, and is also 

 important as a honey plant. The period required for the cyclus of 

 its vegetatian is extremely short ; thus it can be even reared on 

 Alpine elevations. 



