Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 199 



of the work of organ-builders ; enters also into the construction of 

 harmoniums (beds of notes, pallets, rest planks); further used 

 for carved moulds and for wooden letters in large prints ; it is of 

 rather difficult cleavage, great compactness and of considerable 

 strength, and resists great pressure. The oil pressed from the 

 nuts is palatable and wholesome. Beech-tar contains a consider- 

 able proportion of paraffine ; the ashes from any portion of this 

 tree are rich in phosphate of lime. For trimming into copse- 

 hedges many give preference to a purple-leaved variety for show. 

 An allied Beech, Fagus Sieboldii (Endlicher), grows in Japan. In 

 the warmer temperate zones all these could only be grown to 

 advantage in springy mountain-forests. How very long some kinds 

 of timber, when excluded from access of air, may remain preserved, 

 is demonstrated by the fact, that beneath the foundation of Savoy- 

 place, in London, piles and planks of Beech, Chestnut, Oak and 

 Elms were found in a state of almost perfect preservation after 

 650 years. The wood of the ordinary Beech one of the best for 

 fuel. 



Fatsia papyrifera, Bentham, (Aralia papyrifera, Hooker.) 



Island of Formosa. The rice-paper Plant, hardy in the lowlands 

 of Victoria, and of scenic effect in garden-plantations. Introduced 

 into Victoria in 1854 by the writer. The pith furnishes the 

 material for the so-called rice-paper, also for some sorts of solah- 

 hats. 



Ferula alliacea. Boissier. 



Persia, up to 7,000 feet. A smaller plant than the following 

 species, but yields the best quality of Assa fcetida, mostly used 

 in India and known there as " Hing" [Watt]. 



Ferula foetida, Begel. (Scorodosma foetidum, Bunge.) 



Persia, Afghanistan and Turkestan. This very tall perennial 

 herb yields the ordinany medicinal assa fcetida of European com- 

 merce. In India it is known as " Hingra " and considered inferior 

 to that from the preceding species [Dr. Gr. Watt]. F. Assa fcetida, 

 Linne, is a species of doubtful definition. Ferula Narthex, Boissier 

 (Narthex Assa fcetida, Falconer), furnishes a very similar drug in 

 Thibet. The cultivation of these plants in adequate climes seems 

 not surrounded by any difficulties. 



Ferula gralbaniflua, Boissier. 



Persia; on mountains 4,000 to 8,000 feet high. This tall peren- 

 nial herb might be transferred to other sub-alpine regions, for 

 obtaining locally from it the gum-resin galbanum. 



Ferula longifolia, Fischer. 



Southern Russia. The long aromatic roots furnish a pleasant 

 vegetable [Dr. Rosenthal]. 



