352 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Vigna lanceolata, Bentham. 



Tropical and sub-tropical Australia. Mr. O'Shanesy observes that 

 this twiner produces, along with the ordinary cylindrical pods, 

 others underground from buried flowers, and these somewhat 

 resemble the fruit of Arachis. The plant is available for culinary 

 purposes. 



Vigna Sinensis, Endlicher.* (Dolichos Sinensis, Linne.) 



Tropical Asia and Africa. The cultivation of this twining annual 

 pulse-herb extends to Southern Europe and many other countries 

 with a temperate clime. The pods are remarkable for their great 

 length, and used like French beans, dry as well as green. Y. Cat- 

 jang (A Rich), Y. sesquipedalis and Y. melanophthalma are 

 varieties of this species. In fair soil the produce is forty-fold. 



Villebrunia integrifolia, Gaudichaud, 



India, ascending the Himalayan Mountains to 5,000 feet. A 

 small tree, allied to the Kami plant, Boehmeria nivea. Mr. C. B. 

 Clarke regards the fibre as one of the strongest available in India, 

 it being used for bow-strings. Other Yillebrunias for instance, 

 Y. frutescens, and also some species of Debregeasia, particularly 

 D. velutina deserve likewise regular culture, for the sake of their 

 fibre. Moist forest tracts seem particularly adapted for these 

 plants, because Y. integrifolia grows in Sikkim at an elevation 

 where, according to Dr. G. King, the rainfall ranges from 100 to 

 200 inches. This fibre is much more easily separable than that of 

 Maoutia Puya, according to Dr. King's observations. 



Viola odorata, Linne". 



The Yiolet. Middle and South Europe, North Africa, Middle 

 Asia. Passingly alluded to here, as this modest, though lovely, 

 plant should be extensively naturalised in forest glens, to furnish 

 its delicate scent for various compositions of perfumery. 



Vitis acetosa, F. v. Mueller. 



Carpentaria and Arnhem's Land. Stems rather herbaceous than 

 shrubby, erect. The whole plant is pervaded with acidity, and 

 proved valuable in cases of scurvy. The berries are edible. This 

 species, if planted in countries with a temperate clime, would likely 

 spring annually afresh from the roots. 



Vitis sestivalis, Michaux.* 



The Summer Grape of the United States of North America. 

 Flowers fragrant. The berries are deep blue, of pleasant taste, and 

 ripen late in the reason. 



