192 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Melicocca bijuga, Linne. 



Central America, on mountains. So many sapindaceous trees of 

 the Cupania series have been shown by my own experiments to be 

 hardy in a climate like that of Victoria, that now also this 

 important member of the series could be admitted into this list. 

 The pulp of the fruit is of grape taste ; the seeds can be used like 

 sweet chestnuts. 



Melilotus alba, Desrousseaux. 



The Cabul or Bokhara Clover. Middle and Southern Europe, 

 North Africa, Middle Asia. A biennial herb. On account of its 

 fragrance it is of value as admixture to hay. It is also a good 

 bee-plant. Flowers white. Odorous principle : cumarin. 



Melilotus ccerulea, Lamarck. 



South Europe and North Africa. An annual, very odorous fodder- 

 herb. It forms an ingredient of the green Swiss cheese, which 

 owes its flavour and colour chiefly to this plant. 



Melilotus officinalis, Desrousseaux. 



Europe and Middle Asia. Also biennial, or lasting through several 

 years if prevented from flowering. Contains also cumarin. An 

 allied species is M. macrorrhiza, Pers. Both serve purposes similar 

 to those for which M. alba is employed. Grown on the coast it 

 becomes less odorous. 



Melissa officinalis, Linne. 



The Balm Herb. South Europe and Middle Asia. A perennial 

 herb, valuable for its scent, which depends on a peculiar volatile 

 oil. It is also valuable as a bee-plant. 



Melocanna bambusoides, Trinius. 



The Berry-bearing Bamboo, from Chittagong and other moun- 

 tainous parts of India, as well as of the Archipelagus. The fruit is 

 very large, fleshy, like an apple, and contains a seed which is said 

 to be very pleasant eating (Masters). It is a thornless bamboo, 

 growing on dry slopes of hills. Height up to 70 feet ; circum- 

 ference towards base, 1 foot ; growth beautifully erect. 



Melocanna Travancorica. (Beesha Travancorica, Beddome). 

 A new bamboo from Travancore, worthy of introduction. 



Mentha laxiflora, Bentham. 



Victoria and the most southern parts of New South Wales. 

 This, the Australian Forest Mint, furnishes a peculiarly pleasant 

 oil, not dissimilar to that of peppermint. A fair oil can also be 

 distilled from M. Awtralis (B. Brown), the common River Mint of 

 South-east Australia. 



