IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 161 



Hovenia dulcis, Thunberg. 



Himalaya, China, Japan. The pulpy fruit-stalks of this tree are 

 edible. H. insequalis, DC., and H. acerba, Lindl., are mere 

 varieties of this species. 



Humulus Lupulus, Linne.* 



The Hop Plant. Temperate zone of Europe, Asia and North 

 America. This twining perennial unisexual plant has proved to 

 yield enormously on river-banks in rich soil or on fertile slopes 

 where irrigation could be effected, particularly so in Victoria along 

 the river valleys of Gippsland and in other similar localities. A 

 pervious, especially alluvial soil, fertile through manure or other- 

 wise, appliances for irrigation, natural or artificial, and also shelter 

 against storms, are some of the conditions for success in hop 

 growth, and under such conditions the rearing of hops will prove 

 thus far profitable in countries and localities of very different mean 

 temperature. A dry summer season is favourable to the ripening 

 and gathering of hops. On the Mitchell River, in Gippsland, 

 1,500 Ibs. have been obtained from an acre. In Tasmania large 

 crops have been realised for very many years. The plant might be 

 readily naturalised on river-banks and in forest-valleys. The scaly 

 fruit-cones form the commercial hops, whose value largely depends 

 on the minute glandular granules of lupuline. Hops impart their 

 flavour to beer, and principally by their tannic acid prevent acetous 

 fermentation and precipitate albuminous substances from the malt. 

 Hop pillows are recommended to overcome want of sleep. Many 

 of the substitutes of hops are objectionable or deleterious. The 

 refuse of hops of breweries possess double the value of stable 

 manure. Active principles of hop leaves and fruits : a peculiar 

 volatile and a bitter acid substance. The fibre of the stem can be 

 made into cords and paper. The young shoots can be used for food, 

 dressed like asparagus. 



Hydnum coralloides, Scopoli. 



Cashmere, in hollow trunks of Pirius Webbiana, called there the 

 Koho Khur. Cooked, of excellent taste; 



Hydnum imbricatum, Linne. 



In pine forests of Europe. A wholesome Mushroom of delicious 

 taste, which we should endeavour to naturalize in our pine plan- 

 tations. Other recommendable European species are : H. eri- 

 naceum, Pers. ; H. coralloides, Scop. ; H. album, Pers. ; H. diver- 

 sidens, Fries ; H. auriscalpium, Linn6 ; H. subsquamosum, Batsch ; 

 H. Isevigatum, Sw. ; H. violascens, Alb. ; H. infundibulum, Sw. ; 

 H. fuligineo-albiim, Schm. ; H. graveolens, Brot. ; H. Caput 

 Medusae, Nees ; H. Hystrix, Fries. These and other edible fungi 



