Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 277 



l&elocalamus compactiflorus, Bentham. 



Martaban, ascending to 6,000 feet. This Bamboo attains a 

 height of 25 feet, and is somewhat scandent. 



Melocanna bambusoides, Trinius. 



The Berry-bearing Bamboo, from Chittagong and other moun- 

 tainous parts of India, as well as of the Archipelagus. Height to 

 70 feet [Kurz]. The fruit is of the size of a small pear, fleshy, and 

 contains a seed, which is said to be very pleasant eating [Masters]. 

 It is a thornless Bamboo, growing on dry slopes of hills. Circum- 

 ference towards base 1 foot ; growth beautifully erect. 



BXentha arvensi*, Linne. 



Europe, extra-tropical Asia. The variety piperascens of this 

 perennial herb constitutes the peculiar Japan-Peppermint. From 

 the distilled oil of this by refrigeration the crystalline menthol is 

 obtained in unusually large proportion for medicinal purposes [E. 

 Holmes]. The plant is said to have been used in Japan at least 

 2,000 years [Christy]. Mints of various kinds could probably be 

 reared with advantage also as anti-malarian. 



IMCentha laxiflora, Bentham. 



Victoria and the most Southern parts of New South Wales 

 This, the Australian "Forest-Mint," furnishes a peculiarly pleasant 

 oil, not dissimilar to that of peppermint, A fair oil can also be 

 distilled from M. Australis (R. Brown), the common " River-Mint " 

 of South-Eastern Australia. 



BTentha piperita, Linne.* 



The "Peppermint." Middle-Europe. This well-known perennial 

 herb is important for its peculiar essential oil. This distilled oil 

 is in considerable demand, and would be best obtained from plants 

 cultivated in mountain-regions or naturalised along forest-rivulets. 

 The annual production of oil of peppermint is estimated at 90,000 

 Ibs., two-thirds of which are prepared in the State of New York 

 [Masters]. Eminent authorities refer the Peppermint as a variety 

 to Mentha aquatica, L., the Water-Mint of Europe, North America, 

 West- and North-Asia ; from which the true Crisp Mint (M. crispa, 

 Linne) is again derived, as well as the Bergamot-Mint (M. citrata, 

 Ehrhart). Mr. Slater's experience for years at Port Phillip has 

 been, that from a ton of the cut herb 5 to 7 Ibs. of oil can be dis- 

 tilled, worth about 35s. a Ib. ; he obtained about 3 tons of cut herb 

 from an acre. The writing "Minth " or " Menth " is preferable, 

 the former in accordance with Hippocrates and Theophrastos, the 

 latter according to Plinius' writing for M. piperita. 



