134 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



planted out into various unoccupied mountain-localities with a final 

 view to naturalise it, and to thus render it available from native 

 sources at a later period. It has additional claims on account of 

 its prettiness. Noted as a bee-plant even by the ancients [Muenter] . 

 In Norway it is grown as far north as lat. 67 56 '. Likes calcareous 

 light soil. 



Crocus serotinus, Salisbury. (G. odorus, Bivona.) 



South-Europe. This species also produces saffron rich in pig- 

 ment. The bulbs of several are edible. See also Maw's splendid 

 work, specially devoted to this genus. 



Crotalaria Burhia, Hamilton. 



Beloochistan, Afghanistan, Scinde. This perennial herb grows 

 in arid places, and like the following yields Sunn-fibre. 



Crotalaria juncea, Linne.* 



The Sunn-Hemp. Indigenous to Southern Asia and also widely 

 dispersed through tropical Australia. An annual herb, rising under 

 favorable circumstances to a height of 10 feet. In the colony of 

 Victoria, Sunn can only be cultivated in the warmest and moistest 

 localities. It comes to maturity in four or five months. The plant 

 can also be grown as a fodder herb for cattle. It requires rich, 

 friable soil. If a superior soft fibre is desired, the plant is pulled 

 while in flower ; if strength is the object the plant is left standing 

 until it has almost ripened its seeds. The steeping process occupies 

 about three days. For the purpose of obtaining branchless stems 

 it is sown closely. Cultivated in the Circars, according to Rox- 

 burgh, to feed milch-cows. 



Crotalaria retusa, Linne. 



Asia, America and Australia within and near the tropics. A 

 perennial herb. Its fibre resembles that of C. juncea, and is chiefly 

 used for ropes and canvas. Others of the multitudinous species of 

 Crotolaria deserve to be tested for their fibres. 



Croton lacciferus, Linne. 



Ceylon, up to 3,000 feet. Valuable for the warmer forest-regions 

 of temperate climes, on account of its peculiar exuding lac-resin. 



Croton Tig-lium, Linne. 



Insular and Continental India, extending to China. A small tree. 

 The very powerful purgative Croton-oil is expressed from the 

 seeds. The plant bears prolifically in the northern part of N.S.W. 



Crozophora tinctoria, Necker. 



South-Europe, North-Africa and the Orient. An annual herb. 

 The turnsole-dye is prepared by exposing the juice to the air, or by 

 treating it with ammonia. 



