IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 229 



Peireskia aculeata, Miller. 



West India. The Barbadoes Gooseberry. A tall shrub, adapted 

 for hedges in localities free of frost. The cochineal insect can be 

 reared on this plant also. The berries are edible. Several other 

 species exist in tropical America, among which P. Bleo (Humb.) is 

 particularly handsome, but they may not all be sufficiently hardy 

 for utilitarian purposes in an extra-tropical clime. Otherwise the 

 Bleo is used for salad. 



Peireskia portulacifolia, Haworth. 



"West India. This attains the size of a fair tree. 



Pelargonium odoratissimum, Alton. 



South Asia. A perennial trailing herb, from the leaves of which a 

 fragrant oil can be distilled. Pelargonium oil is extensively pro- 

 duced in Algeria as a cheap substitute for attar of roses. The same 

 remark applies to the shrubby P. radula and P, capitatum (Dr. 

 Rosenthal). The Kaffirs assert that these plants keep off snakes. 



Peltophorum Linnsei, Bentham. (Ccesalpinia Brasiliensis, Linn6.) 

 A small tree, which provides the orange-coloured Brasiletto wood. 

 This species likes dry calcareous soil (Grisebach). Endures the 



climate of Carolina. 







Pennisetum latifolium, Sprengel. 



Extra-tropical South America. A tall perennial nutritious grass, 

 forming large tufts, easily spreading from the roots or seeds. It is 

 of quick growth. 



Pennisetum longistylum, Hochstetter. 



Abyssinia. A grass of great beauty, forming ample tufts, much 

 recommended by Dr. Curl for permanent pasture. It was with 

 numerous other grasses introduced by the writer of this work into 

 Australia. 



Pennisetum thyphoideum, Richard.* (Penicillaria spicata, Will- 

 denow ; Panicum coeruleum, Miller.) 



Tropical Asia, Nubia, and Egypt. The Bajree. An annual, 

 ripening its millet crop in about three months in warm countries. 

 The stems are thick and reach a height of six feet, the maximum 

 length of a spike is about a foot and a half ; Colonel Sykes saw 

 exceptionally 15 spikes on one plant and occasionally 2,000 seeds 

 in one spike. Together with Sorghum this is the principal cereal 

 grown in India by the native races, except rice. This grass requires 

 a rich and loose soil, and on such it will yield upwards of a hundred- 

 fold. It furnishes a good hay, tJ^e^SE^ftftt^ quite easily dried, 



