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SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Sty rax officinalis, Linne\ 



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

 The fragant solid storax resin exudes from this plant, or is 

 particularly obtained by pressure of the bark. 



Swertia Chirata, Bentham. (Ophelia Chirata, Crisebach.) 



Widely dispersed over the higher mountain regions of India. A 

 perennial herb, considered as one of the best of tonics ; it possesses 

 all febrifugal and antarthritic properties. Its administration in the 

 form of an infusion prepared with cold water is the best. Besides 

 Ophelia elegans (Wight) and some of the other Upper Indian, 

 Chinese, and Japanese species deserve probably equal attention. 

 Hanbury and Fliickiger mention as chiratas or chirettas of Indian 

 bazaars : Ophelia angustifolia (D. Don), O. densiflora (Grisebach), 

 0. elegans (Wight), and O. multiflora (Dalzell), besides species of 

 Exacum and Andrographis. All come from the cooler uplands. 



Swietenia Mahagoni, Linne.* 



The Mahogany-tree of West India, extending naturally to Florida 

 and Mexico. The degree of endurance of this famous tree is not 

 sufficiently ascertained. In its native mountains it ascends to 

 3,000 feet. 



Symphytmn officinale, Linne. 



TheComfrey. Europe, Western Asia. A perennial herb. The 

 root is utilised in veterinary practice. 



Symphytum peregrinum Ledebour.* 



The Prickly Comfrey. Caucasus. The growth of this hardy plant 

 may be recommended as an adjunct to lupine culture. The Hon. 

 Arthur Holroyd, of Sydney, has recently devoted a special pub- 

 lication to this plant. He quotes on good authority the return of 

 foliage already in the first year as 20 tons to the acre, in the second 

 year 50 tons, and every year after 80 to 120 tons on manured land. 

 It yields a nutritive and relished forage in rapid and continuous 

 reproduction. It is likewise recommended for green manure. Dr. 

 Curl found it to grow well in the moist clime of New Zealand 

 during the hottest and driest, as well as coldest, weather. Dr. 

 Yoelcker found much mucilage but little sugar in this plant. The 

 massive root, known to penetrate to 9 feet depth, sustains the 

 plant in vigour, admitting it to be cut almost throughout the year. 

 The propagation is easy from root-cuttings, difficult from seeds ; 

 4,000 of the former to an acre ; it will thrive even in sand and 

 tough clay, but prefers moist and even boggy land. In tropical 

 countries cattle have a predilection for it ; there it likes shades. 

 The likewise borragineous Cynoglossum Morrisonii, De Cand., of 



