Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 57 



may include deleterious species ; thus A. Hornii and A. lentiginosus 

 (Gray) of California, and A. mollissimus (Nuttall) of Texas, are 

 known as loco- weeds, and are poisonous to cattle and horses, just as 

 Swainsona lessertifolia (Candolle) and S. Greyana (Lindley) have 

 shown themselves highly injurious to pasture animals in Australia; 

 the active principle of these plants may however become of import- 

 ance in medicine. 



Astragalus Hyrcanus, Pallas. 



From the Caspian Sea to Afghanistan, in sandland. This shrub 

 is locally valuable for the sustenance of pasture -animals [Dr. J. 

 Aitchison]. 



Astragalus microcephalus, Willdenow. 



From Turkey to Russian Armenia. Gum -tragacanth is collected 

 largely also from this species [Farnsworth] and from the nearly 

 allied A. pycnocladus (Boissier and Haussknecht). 



Astragalus Parnassi, Boissier. (A. Cylleneus, Heldreich,) 



Greece. This small shrub furnishes there almost exclusively the 

 commercial tragacanth. It ascends to elevations of 7,000 feet, 

 becoming therefore alpine. 



Astragalus strobiliferus, Koyle. 



Asiatic Turkey. A brown tragacanth is collected from' this 

 species. 



Astrag-alus stromatodes, Buuge. 



Syria, At elevations of approximately 5,000 feet. Exudes 

 Aintab-tragacanth, which is also obtained from A. Kurdicus 

 (Boissier). 



Astragalus venosus, Hochstetter. 



From Abyssinia to Central Africa. This perennial herb is sub- 

 jected to regular cultivation for fodder, known as " Hamat- 

 Kochata" [D. Oliver.] 



Astrag-alus verus, Olivier. 



Asiatic Turkey and Persia. This shrub furnishes the Takalor- 

 or Smyrna-tragacanth, or it is derived from an allied species. From 

 an Astragalus of S.W. Asia is obtained the Sarcocolla-o-um fDr. 

 Dymock.] 



Astrebla pectinata, F. v. Mueller.* Danthonia pectinata, Lindley. 



New South Wales. Queensland, Northern and Central Australia, 

 in arid regions, always inland. A perennial desert-grass, resisting 

 drought ; sought with avidity by sheep, and very fattening to them 

 and other pasture-animals. Seeding freely. 



