Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 275 



Azedarach, Linne. 

 Called " The Pride of India." South- Asia, North- and also East- 

 Australia, and there to far extra- tropical latitudes, ascending the 

 Himalayas to 6,000 feet. Height seldom over 40 feet ; branches 

 very spreading. The variety umbraculiformis is particularly 

 shady. As an avenue-tree not without importance, because it will 

 successfully cope with dryness of clime and sterility of soil. It 

 will grow, while young, at the rate of 12 feet a year, if regularly 

 watered, against 6 feet of growth of Grevillia robusta and Schinus 

 Molle, and against only 2 feet of Brachychiton populneus [F. M. 

 Mackey] . It recommends itself also for retaining the foliage till 

 very late in the season without shrivelling', and for producing early 

 an abundance of very fragrant spring-flowers, which may perhaps 

 be worth distilling for essential oil. Grows from cuttings as well 

 as seeds, the latter abundantly maturing. All parts of the plant 

 are bitter ; the bark with caution can be used as a purgative and 

 anthelmintic ; the leaves prove insecticidal [Hieronymus]. The 

 wood is comparatively soft, light and considered of value for 

 cabinet-work, also some kinds of musical instruments. A black- 

 fruited Melia seems as yet little known. Casimir De Candolle dis- 

 tinguishes twelve species, their range being from India to Japan 

 and Polynesia. 



UKelianthus major, Linne. 



South-Africa. The leaves of this stately plant are very efficacious 

 as antiseptics, also in cases of scald-head, ringworm and various 

 other cutaneous diseases [Dr. Pappe]. Its effect of promoting 

 granulation is very remarkable [Dr. A. Brown]. Flowers rich in 

 honey, as indicated by the generic name. Will bear some frost. 



HXelica altissima, Linne. 



Eastern Europe, Middle Asia. This perennial grass has recently 

 come into use for pasture. 



Melica ciliata, Linne. 



Europe and Middle Asia. A perennial fodder-grass, particularly 

 desirable for sheep. Best for dry gypsum- or lime-ground. 



Melica nutans. Linne. 



The Pearl- Grass. Europe, Northern and Middle Asia, enduring 

 an alpine exposure and living also in the shade of forests. It will 

 bear the clime of Norway to lat. 70 28' [Schuebeler]. It produces 

 suckers, and affords good foliage in woody regions ; so also does M. 

 uniflora (Retzius). Several other species are on record from 

 various parts of the globe, among which M. mutica (Walter), of 

 North- America, seems to deserve special attention. 



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