Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 47 



breezes to a remarkable degree. Ceases to be hardy in the south 

 of New Zealand. 



Araucaria imbricata, Pavon.* 



Chili and Patagonia. The male tree attains generally a lesser 

 height than the female, which reaches 150 feet. At Brest it 

 attained 72 feet in 55 years [de Kersaiiton]. This species furnishes 

 a hard and durable timber, as well as an abundance of edible seeds, 

 which constitute a main- article of food of the natives. Eighteen 

 good trees will yield enough of vegetable food for a man's susten- 

 ance all the year round. The wood is yellowish-white, full of 

 beautiful streaks, capable of being polished and worked with facil- 

 ity. It is admirably adapted for ship-building. The resin is pale 

 and smells like frankincense [Lawson] . The tree is most frequently 

 found on rocky eminences almost destitute of water [J. Hoopes]. 

 It is hardier than any other congener, having withstood the frosts 

 of Norway up to latitude 61 15 ; [Schuebeler]. Endures also the 

 clime in many parts of Scotland. Grows more slowly in Australia 

 than the native species. 



Araucaria Rulei, F. v. Mueller. 



New Caledonia. A magnificent tree, with large shining leaves ; 

 doubtless not merely of decorative but also of utilitarian value. A 

 closely allied species, A. Muelleri, comes with A. Balansas and A. 

 montana (Brogniart) from the same island, A. Hunsteinii (Schu- 

 mann), from Northern New Guinea. 



Arauja albens, D. Don. 



Southern Brazil. This plant proved hardy at Toulouse. The 

 fibre of the bast is tough and of a silky softness [Dr. Clos]. 



Arbutus XKenziesii, Pursh. 



North-Western America. An evergreen tree, attaining a height 

 of 150 feet, with a stem reaching 8 feet in diameter. It is of com- 

 paratively quick growth [Dr. Gibbons] ; it belongs to the coast- 

 tract exclusively. Wood exceedingly hard, not apt to rend, splendid 

 for furniture. The tree requires a deep loamy soil [Bolander], and 

 is fit only for shady, irrigated woodlands ; likes the company of 

 Pinus Douglasii and of Sequoias. It would be valuable at least as 

 a highly ornamental garden- or park-plant, being the tallest among 

 about a thousand Ericeae of the world. 



Archang-elica officinalis, Hoffmann. 



Arctic zone and mountain-regions of many parts of Europe. Tha 

 young shoots and leaf -stalks of this biennial herb are used for 

 Angelica-confectionery ; the roots are of medicinal use, and like- 

 wise they are chosen as well as the fruitlets for the distillation of 

 some cordials. They promote digestion, and stimulate the mucous 





