152 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



on account of the network of fibrous roots [Fernandez]. Readily 

 raised from seed. This and D. Haniiltoni are almost annually 

 seeding [Gamble^, which is exceptional among 1 Bambusacea?. 



Desmodium acuminatum, De Candolle. 



Eastern North- America. With D. nudifloruin (D.C.) mentioned 

 by C. Mohr as a nutritive plant for stock, and particularly adapted 

 for forest-soil. 



Desmodium triflorum. De Candolle.* 



In tropical regions of Asia, Africa and America. A densely 

 matted perennial herb, alluded to on this occasion as recommend- 

 able for places too hot for ordinary clover, and as representing a 

 large genus of plants, many of which may prove of value for 

 pasture. Dr. Roxburgh already stated that it helps to form the 

 most beautiful turf in India, and that cattle are very fond of this 

 herb. Colonel Drury informs us, that it spring's up on all soils 

 and situations, supplying the place of Trifolium and Medioago 

 there. D. Canadense (D.C.) is also an excellent fodder-herb 

 [RosenthalJ. 



Desmodium uncinatum. De Candolle. 



" Chili-Clover." From North- Mexico to Chili and Urug'uny. 

 A. somewhat shrubby plant of easy dissemination ; valuable for 

 forage [Dr. W. Hillebrand]. 



Bicksonia Billardierii, F. v. Mueller.* (D. aniarctica, La Billardiere ; 

 Cibotium Billardierii, Kaulfuss.) 



South-Eastern Australia, New Zealand. This tree-fern is men- 

 tioned here, as it is the very best for distant transmission, and 

 endures some frost. It attains a height of 40 feet. Hardy in the 

 Island of Arran with D. squarrosa and Cyathea medullaris j Rev. 

 D. Landsborough.J This species above all others should be dis- 

 seminated in warmer extra-tropical countries, thus with us in West- 

 Australia. Important also as commercial plants among fern-trees 

 are Cyathea medullaris, of South-Eastern Australia and New 

 Zealand ; Cyathea dealbata, the Silvery Tree-fern and C. Smith ii, 

 from New Zealand only ; because when upgrown their shipment is 

 not attended with the same difficulty as that of the tall Alsophila 

 Australis (which attains 60 feet) and numerous other tree-ferns, 

 about 200 species of which are now known. Those mentioned are 

 among the hardiest of this noble kind of plants. T). Billardieri, 

 D. squarrosa and Alsophila Colensoi extend to 46 80' S. in New 

 Zealand according to Mr. T. Waugh. Professor Kirk records from 

 Stewart- Island in latitude 47 20 Dicksonia squarrosa, Cyathea 

 Smithii and C. medullaris. The latter attains occasionally a 

 weight of three tons according to Mr. Dall. The vestiture of their 

 frond-stalks serves as a styptic. Anthelmintic properties, which 

 may exist in these and many other ferns, have not yet been searched 



