276 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



IKelica sarmentosa, Nees. 



Brazil and La Plata- States. A tall grass, climbing to a height 

 of 12 feet in forests and on river-banks. Professor Hieronymus 

 speaks of M. aurantiaca (Desrousseaux), M. laxiflora (Cavanilles), 

 M. macra (Nees), M. papilionacea (Linne), M. rigida and M, 

 violacea (Cavanilles) as perennial Pampas-grasses, which though 

 hard, are nutritious, and particularly sought by asses and mules. 



Melicocca bijuga, Linne. 



The Jenip. Central America, on mountains. Cultivated in 

 Jamaica up to about 3000 feet [W. Fawcett] . So many sapindaceous 

 trees of the Cupania-series have been shown by my own experiments 

 to be hardy in a climate like that of Victoria, that this important mem- 

 ber of the series could now also be admitted into this list. The pulp 

 of the fruit is of a grape-taste ; the seeds can be used like sweet 

 chestnuts. 



BXelilotus alba, Desrousseaux. 



The Cabul- or Bokhara-clover. Europe, North-Africa, Middle 

 Asia. Indigenous in Norway to lat. 50 16' [Schuebeler]. A 

 biennial herb. On account of its fragrance it is of some value as 

 admixture to hay. Pigs devour this herb with avidity [Vasey]. 

 It is also a good bee-plant, the white flowers lasting till late in the 

 season. Odorous principle : cumarin. The species of M elilotus 

 are regarded by Mr. W. Farrer as among the best for green 

 manuring. 



Melilotus altissima, Thuillier. (M. officinalis, Desrousseaux.) 



Europe and Middle Asia. In Norway hardy to lat. 76 17'. 

 Biennial or lasting through several years, if prevented from flower- 

 ing. Contains also Cumarin. Allied species are M. macrorrhiza 

 (Persoon) and M. parviflora (Desrousseaux). All serve purposes 

 similar to those for which M. alba is employed. Grown on the 

 coast it becomes less odorous. Honey from this and closely allied 

 plants exquisite. Imparts its scent to milk and butter disadvan- 

 tageously. 



Melilotus coerulea, Gaertner. 



South-Europe and North-Africa. Cultivated in Norway to lat, 

 70 22'. An annual, very odorous fodder-herb. It forms an 

 ingredient of the green Swiss cheese, which owes its flavor and 

 color chiefly to this plant. 



Melissa officinalis, Linne. 



The Balm-Herb. Southern Europe and Western Asia. A 

 perennial herb, valuable for its scent, which depends on a peculiar 

 volatile oil. This herb is also important as a bee-plant. Readily 

 propagated by division of the root. 



