Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical -Countries. 1 



Acanthophoenix rubra, H. Wendland. 



Mauritius and Reunion. This palm has proved hardy in Florida, 

 also as far south as Sydney [C. Moore]. Height reaching 60 feet. 

 The upper rings of the stem are of a bright red. In gardens 

 usually passing as an Areca. 



Acanthosicyos horrida. Welwitach. 



The " Narras." In the deserts of Angola, Beiiguela and Damaras, 

 This thorny, erect, cucurbitaceous shrub thrives even in absolute 

 coast-sand, and would likely prove valuable for sandy desert- 

 country. The tribes of Hottentots near Walfish-Bay mainly sub- 

 sist, as regards vegetable food, on the N arras for some time in the 

 year. It bears fruit of the size and color of oranges, and of pleasant 

 acidulous and sweetish taste. The seeds are also edible, remarkably 

 oily and of hazel-taste [R. Marlott] ; they also serve as lab. The 

 Missionary Duparquet counted exceptionally as many as 200 fruits 

 on one plant [Prof. Naudin]. No rain occurs in the Acanthosicyos- 

 and Welwitschia-region, but the mean heat does not exceed 70 F., 

 and the soil is kept somewhat moist through capillarity from be- 

 neath. 



Acer Campbellii, J. Hooker and Thomson. 



The chief Maple of the North-Eastern Himalayas. A large tree- 

 Freely reproduced by seed or coppice. Wood pale, close-grained, 

 particularly valuable for planking [Gamble]. 



Acer campestre, Lirnie. 



The British Maple. Extends from South- and Middle-Europe to 

 Northern Africa, also to many parts of Asia. Height reaching 40 

 feet, in shelter and deep soil ; the yellow and purple tints of its 

 foliage in autumn render the tree then particularly beautiful. 

 Occurs in Norway to 63 26'' N. L. [Prof. Schuebeler]. The wood 

 is compact and fine-grained, and sought for choice furniture, 

 machinery and musical instruments. The tree can be trimmed 

 into hedges. Comparatively quick in growth, and easily raised 

 from seed. These remarks apply to many kinds of maples. 



Acer circinatum, Pursh. 



The Vine-Maple of North- Western America, forming in some 

 parts of Oregon impenetrable forests on account of its long branches 

 bending to the ground and striking root ; its autumnal tint gives 

 quite a picture to the landscape. The stem is sometimes 40 feet 

 long, but slender. Found to be hardy as far north as Christiania 

 or even Nyborg, in lat. 70 10 ; , where the mean annual temperature 

 is 29 F., the highest 95 and the lowest -40 F. [Professor Schue- 

 beler] . The wood is heavier and of closer grain than that of A. 

 macrophyllum [Dr. Gibbons] ; very tough, used for helves and 

 many implements [Dr. G. Dawson] . 



