IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 257 



Pircunia dioica, Moquin. 



Southern Brazil and La Plata States. The Ombu. A deciduous 

 tree, for shady avenues grown in South Europe, as well as in many 

 tropicel countries, tested by the writer to be hardy in the lowlands 

 of Victoria. It is comparatively quick of growth. 



Pisonia aculeata, Linne. 



Tropical and sub-tropical countries of both hemispheres, extending 

 as a native plant into New S'outh Wales. This rambling prickly 

 bush can be chosen for hedge-copses. 



Pistacia Lentiscus, Linne. 



The Mastic Tree. Mediterranean regions. A tall evergreen bush, 

 exuding the mastic-resin, mostly through incisions into its bark. In 

 Morocco it is extensively used for hedges. 



Pistacia Terebinthus, Linne. 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea. A tall bush or small tree 

 with deciduous foliage. The fragrant Cyprian or Chio turpentine 

 exudes from the stem of this species. 



Pistacia vera, Linne. 



Indigenous in the Orient, as far as Persia. A deciduous tree, 30 

 feet high, yielding the Pistacio-nuts of commerce, remarkable for 

 their green almond-like kernels. The likewise deciduous P. Atlantica 

 (Desfontaines) and the evergreen South European P. lentiscus (L.), 

 furnishing the mastic, rarely grow to the size of large trees. 



Pisum sativum, Linne.* 



The Common Pea. Mediterranean countries and Western Asia. 

 This annual of daily use corild hardly be left disregarded on this 

 occasion. Suffice it to say that the herbage as a nutritious fodder 

 deserves more attention than it receives The green fruit contains 

 inosit-sugar and cholestrin fat. For field culture a sandy calcareous 

 loam should be chosen for this plant, to ensure rich and safe har- 

 vests. Peas after four years' exposure to the extreme frosts of 

 Polaris Bay retained their vitality. A second species, P. Aucheri 

 (Jaub. and Spach), which is perennial, occurs in Alpine elevations 

 on the Taurus. 



Pittosporum tenuifolium, Banks and Solander. 



New Zealand. This with P. eugenioides has proved very suitable 

 for tall garden-hedges, for which these and several other species 

 were first brought into notice by the writer. 



