328 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Tamarindus Indica, Linne. 



Tropical Asia and Africa. This magnificent, large, expansive tree 

 extends northwards to Egypt, and \vas found by the writer of this 

 list in North- Western Australia. Final girth of stem, 25 feet not 

 rare. Never leafless. Varieties occur, according to Brandis, with 

 sweetish red pulp. It is indicated here, not without hesitation, to 

 suggest trials of its acclimation in regions of the temperate zone 

 with a warm, humid, and equable temperature. The acid pulp of 

 the pods forms the medicinal Tamarind, rich in formic and butyric 

 acid, irrespective of its other contents. 



Tamarix dioica, Roxburgh. 



India, up to 2,500 feet. An important shrub for binding newly- 

 formed river banks, even in saline soil. 



Tamarix Gallica, Linne.* 



South Europe, North and tropical Africa, South and East Asia, 

 ascending the Himalayas to 11,000 feet. Attains in Algeria, 

 according to Cosson, a height of 30 feet. This shrub or small tree 

 adapts itself in the most extraordinary manner to the most different 

 localities. It will grow alike in water and the driest soil, also in 

 salty ground, and is one of the most grateful and tractable plants 

 in culture ; it is readily multiplied from cuttings, which strike root 

 as easily as a willow and push forth stems with unusual vigour. 

 Hence it is one of the most eligible bushes for planting on coast 

 sand to stay its movements, or for lining embankments. Furnishes 

 material for a superior charcoal (W. H. Colvill) and various im- 

 plements (Brandis). Planted much in cemeteries. In Australia, 

 first largely sent out by the writer. 



Tamarix Germanica, Linne. 



Europe and West Asia, ascending to 15,000 feet in the Himalayas. 

 Likewise available for arresting the ingress of shifting sand, 

 particularly in moist places, also for solidifying precipitous river 

 banks. The allied T. elegans (Myricaria elegans, E/oyle) attains a 

 height of 20 feet. 



Tamarix orientalis, Forskal. (T. articulata, Yahl.) 



North and Middle Africa, South Asia. A fast-growing tree, 

 attaining a height of 60 feet, the trunk occasionally expanding to a 

 circumference of 1 2 feet. Springs up freely from seeds, and is also 

 readily propagated from cuttings. Coppices well. The wood 

 serves for ploughs, wheels, and many implements. (Stewart and 

 Brandis). With T. Gallica it grows sufficiently quick to be reared in 

 India for fuel. Dye-galls and a kind of manna are also produced 

 by this tree. The same, or an allied species, extends to Japan. 



