IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 187 



breaking off the buds. The Bitter Cassava is the more productive 

 of the two. The yellowish tubers attain sometimes a weight of 

 30 B>s. They do not become soft by boiling, like Aipi. 



Maoutia Puya, Weddell. 



India, on mountains up to 4,000 feet. It is taller than Boehmeria 

 nivea, and furnishes a similar fibre, which however is not easily 

 separated. This shrub belongs to a tribe of the Nettle order not 

 possessing burning acridity. None of the true Nettles, such as 

 the Girardinias, nor allied stinging plants have been recommended 

 in this index, although from some an exquisite fibre is derived, as 

 the writer wishes to guard against the introduction of any burning 

 species, which possibly might disseminate itself in a mischievous 

 manner, and then probably could not again be suppressed. 



Maranta arundinacea, Linne. 



The True Arrowroot Plant, or more correctly " Aru-root," inasmuch 

 as Aru-Aru is the Brazilian word for flour, according to Martius. 

 West India, Florida, Mexico to Brazil. The plant is introduced 

 into this list not without hesitation, as it seems to require a tropical 

 clime to attain perfection. It furnishes most of the West Indian 

 arrowroot, although other species, such as M. nobilis, M. Allouya, 

 M. ramosissima, are also cultivated for a similar starch of their 

 tubers. Porcher observes that it still flourishes as far north as 

 Florida, producing even in the pine-lands from 200 to 300 bushels 

 of tubers to the acre. M. Indica, Tuss., is merely a variety. 



Mar lea Vitiensis, Bentham. 



Fiji, New South Wales and Queensland. A middle-sized tree, 

 generally with a gouty trunk ; wood bright yellow with fine undu- 

 lating rings, black towards the centre. Fruit edible (P. O'Shanesy). 



Marliera glomerata, Bentham. (Rubackia glomerata, Berg.) 



The Cambuca of sub-tropical Brazil. The fruits attain the size of 

 apricots, and are much used for food (Dr. Rosenthal). 



Marliera tomentosa, Cambessedes. 



Extra-tropical Brazil. The Guaparanga. The sweet berries of this 

 tall shrub are of the size of cherries. 



Matricaria Chamomilla, Linne. 



The annual Chamomile. Europe, North and Middle Asia. A 

 highly useful herb in medicine. In many parts of the European 

 continent it is much more extensively used than the ordinary peren- 

 nial Chamomile. The infusion of the flowers has rather a pleasant 

 taste without strong bitterness. The flowers serve as a tonic, and 

 especially as a sudorific, and possess a peculiar volatile oil. 



