IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 297 



known as " Caiiaigre," of Texas, yields a root containing 23J per 

 cent. Rheo-tannic acid in the dry state. (Rep. Dept. Agric. Wash., 

 1878). Therefore probably other Rumex-roots could be similarly 

 utilized. 



Rum ex Patientia, Linne. 



Middle and South Europe, Middle Asia. Biennial. The young 

 leaves furnish a palatable sorrel, like spinach. In cold climes it 

 pushes forth its leaves before the frost is hardly gone, and thus 

 comes in as one of the first vegetables of the season. 



Eumex scutatus, Linne. 



The French Sorrel. Middle and South Europe, North Africa, 

 Orient. Also perennial, and superior to the foregoing as a culinary 

 plant. They are all of use against scurvy and most easily reared. 



Rumex vesicarius, Linne. 



South Europe, Middle Asia, North Africa, An annual herb of 

 similar utility as the former ones. 



Ruscus aculeatus, Linne. 



Middle and South Europe, North Africa, South- West Asia. This 

 odd plant is the only shrubby species of the genus. It serves for 

 forming garden hedges. The young shoots of this and others are 

 edible. 



Ruta graveolens, Linne. 



The Rue. Mediterranean countries and the Orient. The foliage 

 of this acrid and odorous shrub, simply dried, constitutes the Rue- 

 herb of medicine. The allied R. sylvestris (Mill.) is still more 

 powerful in its effect. These plants and others of the genus contain 

 a peculiar volatile oil and a glycosid (Rutin). 



Sabal Adansoni, Guernsent. 



Dwarf Palmetto. South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. A stem- 

 less Fan-Palm, with the two following and Chamserops Hystrix 

 attaining the most northerly positions of any American Palms. 

 According to Count de Saporta it resists a temperature as low as 

 17 F. M. Naudin found it to resist the frosts in Southern France 

 to 43 20' north latitude. This palm does well in marshy places. 



Sabal Palmetto, Roemer and Schultes.* 



Extends from Florida to North Carolina, also Bermuda Islands. 

 The stem attains a height of 40 feet. This noble Palm delights on 

 sandy coast tracts. Stems almost imperishable under water, not 

 attacked by the Teredo. 



