188 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Matricaria glabrata, Candolle. 



The South African Chamomile. This annual herb is there in 

 renown as an excellent substitute for the European Chamomile 

 (Dr. Pappe). 



Mauritia flexuosa, Linne. 



From Guiana to Peru and Brazil. This noble Palm is known to 

 ascend up to 4,000 feet along the Essequibo. As Palms, like 

 Bamboos, prove to be among the hardier of tropical plants, experi- 

 ments for naturalising M. vinifera, Martins, might also be insti- 

 tuted. This attains a height of 150 feet, leaves 15 feet long, and 

 spouts from the incised stem a copious viny sap. 



Maytenus Boaria, (Boaria Molinae, Candolle \ Maytenus Chilensis, 

 Candolle). 



Chili. An evergreen tree, assuming in the southern provinces con- 

 siderable dimensions. Wood extremely hard. Cattle and sheep 

 browse with predilection on the foliage ; hence the trees are cut 

 down when in protracted snowfalls or in times of drought foliage 

 becomes scarce (Dr. Philippi). 



Medicago arborea, Linne. 



South Europe, particularly Greece. This shrubby yellow Lucerne 

 is of value for dairy farmers, as it much promotes the secretion 

 of milk. This genus includes several other species valued as 

 pasture. 



Medicago lupulina, Linne. 



The Black Medick. Europe, Asia and North America. An annual 

 or biennial pasture herb, easily grown, and not without nutritive 

 importance. Langethal observes, " It effects for argillaceous soils 

 what the White Clover does for sandy moist soils. It will even 

 succeed in moory ground, provided such contains some lime. It 

 suits also particularly for sheep-pastures." It will thrive where 

 on account of poor soil lucerne and clovers fail. In rich land its 

 product is very copious. M. falcata, L., is the Yellow Medick. 



Medicago sativa, Linne,* 



Orient ; now spread through Middle and South Europe and 

 Middle Asia. The purple Medick, Alfalfa or Lucerne. A peren- 

 nial fodder-herb of great importance, and largely utilised in most 

 countries with a temperate clime ; perhaps descended from the 

 English Medicago falcata, which also deserves naturalisation, 

 especially on light or sandy calcareous soil ; but the plant is less 

 productive than the true Lucerne, and resists occasional slight 

 inundations also better. Lucerne keeps green and fresh in the 

 hottest season of the year, even in dry and comparatively barren 



