Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 255 



(Caulophyllum thalictroides, Michaux.) 

 North- America 1 " Blue Cohosh," or " Pappoose-root." A 

 perennial herb, the root of which is in medicinal use. The resin, 

 extracted from the root, contributes the canlophyllin as an emmen- 

 agogue. 



Iiepidium latifolium, 



Europe, North- Africa, Middle- and North-Asia. A perennial 

 herb, of peppery acridity, used for some select sauces. 



The "Cress."' Orient. Annual. Irrespective of its culinary 

 value, cress is of use as one of the remedies in cases of scurvy. 

 Seeds will keep for several years. Active principle : a volatile oil 

 and the bitter lepidin. The crisp-leaved variety preferentially 

 reared. Seeds a substitute for those of mustard [Wittstein]. 



Xiepidosperma gladiatum, La Billardiere. 



The Sword- Sedge of the sea-coast of extra-tropical Australia. 

 One of the most important plants for binding sea-sand, also 

 yielding a paper-material as good as Sparta. Mr. Th. Christy has 

 brought the "Cross" process for textile fabrics or paper-pulp 

 recently into use, which consists in treating vegetable fibrous sub- 

 stances under strong pressure (15-30 Ib. per square-inch) with 

 water containing about 3 per cent, of Thiolyte. 



Ziepironia mucronata, 01. Kichard. 



East- Australia, Malayan Archipelagus, East-Indies, South- 

 China, Madagascar. This rush is cultivated (like rice) in China 

 for textile purposes, but in poor soils the manure impairs its 

 strength. The plant renews itself by sprouts from its perennial 

 root. It attains a height of 7 feet ; the stems are beaten flat, to fit 

 them to be woven or plaited for either bed-mats and bags, or 

 especially for mat-sails, the latter being the most extensively used 

 for the junks in China ; further, the plant is utilised for making 

 the floor-matting, which is exported in vast quantities to the 

 United States, to be used in summer for the sake of coolness, in 

 preference to carpets [Dr. Hance]. This rush thus furnishes the 

 raw material for a great manufacturing industry. The dyeing of 

 the mats yellow is effected with the flowers of Sophora Japonica, 

 under addition of alum ; green with an acanthaceous plant, the 

 Lam-yip (Blue Leaf), alum and sulphate of copper [Dr. Hirst]. 



Zieptorhabdos Benthamianus, Walpers. 



From Thibet to Persia, ascending to 11,000 feet. An annual 

 herb. One of the principal summer-fodders for sheep and goats 

 throughout the Juniper-forests of Beloochistan [J. H. Lace.]. 



