IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 273 



Ptychosperma Alexandrse, F. v. Mueller. 



The Alexandra Palm. Queensland, as well in tropical as extra- 

 tropical latitudes. The tallest of Australian Palms, and one of the 

 noblest forms in the whole empire of vegetation. It exceeds 100 

 feet in height, and is likely destined to grace any shady moist grove 

 free from frost, as it seems less tender than most palms. The 

 demand for seeds has already been enormous. 



Ptychosperma Arfakiana, Becca'ri. 



New Guinea, reaching elevations of 5,000 feet in comparatively 

 temperate regions. Height up to 30 feet. 



Ptychosperma Cunningham!, Hermann Wendland. 



East Australia, as far south as Illawarra ; thus one of the most 

 southern of all Palms. This also is a very high species, destined to 

 take a prominent position in decorative plantations. Several species 

 occur in Fiji and other islands of the Pacific Ocean, and others 

 again might be obtained from India, but they are probably not so 

 hardy as those mentioned. Though strictly speaking of no 

 industrial value, these Palms are important for horticultural trade, 

 and are objects eminently fitted for experiments in acclimatisation. 



Ptychosperma disticha, Miquel. (Areca disticha, Griffith.) 

 Assam, up to 4,000 feet. 



Ptychosperma elegans, Blume. (P. Seaforthia, Miquel ; SeafortMa 

 elegans, R. Brown. 



Littoral forests of tropical Australia. Also a lofty magnificent 

 Feather-Palm. Its leaflets are erose. It may prove hardy. 



Ptychosperma Musschenbroekiana, Beccari. 



Ternate, Insular India, up to 3,000 feet. Height of this palm 

 90 feet. Almost sure to be hardy in sheltered localities of the 

 warmer temperate zone. 



Pueraria Thunbergiana, Bentham. 



Japan. There starch is prepared from the tubers of this climber. 



Pueraria tuberosa, Candolle. 



South Asia, up to 4,000 feet. A tall woody twiner. Its large 

 tubers are edible and might improve -by culture. 



Pugionium cornutum, Gaertner. 



From the Caspian Sea to China. This herb is grown by the 

 Mongols as a vegetable (Hance). 



