IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 175 



Lavandula latifolia, Villars. (L. Spica, Candolle.) 



South Europe, North Africa. From this species also much 

 lavender oil is obtained. 



Lavandula Stoechas, Linne. 



South Europe, North Africa. Topped Lavender. This shrub can 

 also be utilised for oil distillation and other purposes, for which the 

 two other Lavenders are used. The quality of the oil of these 

 species seems to differ according to their locality of growth. Mr. 

 James Dickinson, of Port Arlington, Victoria, informs us that 

 this is the best plant known to him for staying sand. It grows 

 much quicker than the Ulex ; every seed which falls germinates, 

 so that around each bush every stroke of the spade brings up lots 

 of seedlings fit for transplantation. In Southern Australia five 

 months in full flower annually, it being early in bloom. Bees are 

 passionately fond of the mellaginous secretion of the flowers. 

 Mr. Dickinson calculates that annually from an acre of this 

 Lavender a ton of the finest-flavoured honey can be obtained. 



Lavatera arborea, Linne. 



Tree Mallow of Middle Europe and the countries on the Medi- 

 terranean Sea. A tall biennial plant of rapid growth. The 

 ribbon-like bast is produced in greater abundance than in most 

 malvaceous plants, and is recommended for paper material. The 

 Tree Mallow might easily be naturalised on sea-shores, where it 

 would be useful as a quick shelter. Perhaps it might serve with 

 allied plants for green manure. The bulky foliage has proved 

 valuable for fodder, and so has that of Lavatera plebeja (Sims). 



Lawsonia alba, Lamarck. 



North and Middle Africa, Persia, India, Arabia, and North- Western 

 Australia. The Henne or Henna Bush. It may become of use as 

 a dye-plant in the regions free of frost. The orange pigment is 

 obtained from the ground foliage. Mr. C. B. Clarke considers it 

 one of the best hedge-plants in India, together with Dodonsea 

 viscosa, L, Odina Wodier (Roxb.) 



Leersia hexandra, Swartz. 



Africa, South Asia, warmer parts of America and Australia. 

 Pound by Mr. Bailey to be one of the most relished by cattle 

 among aquatic grasses of East Australia. L. Gouini (Founder) is 

 a Mexican species. 



Leersia oryzoides, Swartz. 



Middle and South Europe, various parts of Asia, Africa and 

 America. A perennial nutritious swamp grass. Other Leersias 

 from both hemispheres are deserving of introduction. 



