IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 173 



Knightia excelsa, R. Brown. 



The Rewa Rewa of New Zealand. This tree is recommended as 

 valuable for ornamental work and furniture (Campbell Walker). 



Kceleria cristata, Persoon. 



Widely dispersed over the globe. A perennial grass of fair 

 nutritive quality, sustaining itself on dry soil. The closely-allied 

 K. glauca can be sown with advantage on coast-sand. 



Krameria triandra, Ruiz. 



Chili, Peru and Bolivia, at elevations from 3,000 to 8,000 feet. 

 This pretty little shrub can be grown on sandy ridges in an equable 

 clime. It produces the medicinal Ratanhia root, well known also 

 as a dentrifice. The root contains 38 to 43 per cent, tannin 

 (Muspratt). Some other species have similarly astringent roots, 

 particularly K. Ixine (Loefling), from Central America and West 

 India. Some could be chosen to aid in adorning aiid diversifying 

 our gardens. -'^\" \ {JJ*^ 



Lactuca sativa, Linne. 



South Asia. The ordinary annual Lettuce, ^11 us^lance reljiote 

 antiquity. It is not without value, especially a a sedative, jfor 

 medicinal purposes. L. Scariola, Linne, seejms to be the wild state 

 of the garden lettuce. L. altissima, Bie"herstein, is a variety 

 attaining a height of 9 feet. All yield lactucarium. 



Lactuca virosa, Linne. 



Middle and South Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. A biennial. 

 The inspissated juice of this lettuce forms the sedative lactucarium. 



Lapageria rosea, Ruiz and Pavon. 



Chili. The Copigue. Almost the only plant which can exist in 

 the area covered by the sulphurous smoke of the local smelting 

 furnaces (Cunningham's Magellan). A half-woody climber with 

 large showy flowers. The berries, which are the size of a hen's egg, 

 are sweet and edible. The plant bears slight frosts. 



Lardizabala biternata, Ruiz and Pavon. 



Chili. A climber with stems of enormous length. Might be 

 naturalised in our forests for obtaining the tough fibre for cordage. 

 In its native country the terrified stems are used instead of ropes, 

 according to Dr. Philippi. 



Laserpitium aquilegium, Murray. 



Middle and South Europe. The stems of this perennial herb are 

 edible. The fruits serve as a condiment. 



