Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 279 



pulp. This species with M. Australe (Haworth) forms on the 

 Australian coasts one of the most effectual first impediments to the 

 influx of sea-sand ; both should be encouraged in their growth at 

 the very edge of the tide. Not less hardy than M. edule. 



Mesembrianthemum capitatum, Haworth. 



South-Africa This perennial species, from the readiness and 

 quickness of its growth, and from the abundance of its seeds and 

 their easy dispersion, is one of the best for staying any rolling sea- 

 sand [Dickinson]. M. pugioniforme (Linne) and many other 

 species serve the same purpose. 



Mesembrianthemum Barklyi, N. Brown. 



Namaqua-land. About 2 feet high, but also widely creeping. 

 Leaves large, replete with aqueous sap, so much so, as to allay, 

 when consumed by pasture-animals, their thirst [Sir Henry 

 Barkly]. 



Mesembrianthemum crystallinum, Linne. 



The Ice-Plant. Countries at the Mediterranean Sea and South- 

 Africa. Annual. Recently recommended as a spinach-plant. 

 Can be grown on bare sand, which it helps to cover. Eaten by 

 sheep. In Norway it will succeed northward to lat. 69 18'. 



Mesembrianthemum edule, Linne. 



The "Hottentot-fig" of South- Africa. Under the same ver- 

 nacular name is also comprised the distinct M. acinaciforme, which 

 however, as regards fruit is far inferior. Should be transferred to 

 any of the most inhospitable desert-regions, as it affords in the 

 inner part of its fruit a really palatable and copious food. It 

 proved hardy in Southern England. 



Mesembrianthemum floribundun, Ha worth. 



South- Africa. This succulent perennial with many allied species 

 from the same part of the globe is a far more important plant than 

 might be assumed, because "a good stretch of this is worth as 

 much as a dam " [Professor McOwanJ. Succulent plants like these 

 would live in sandy deserts, where storage of water may be 

 impracticable. 



Metroslderos tomentosa. Cunningham. 



Northern Island of New Zealand. Could be grown for timber 

 on rocky sea-shores. Height reaching about 80 feet ; trunk stout, 

 but comparatively short. The timber, according to Professor Kirk 

 deserves attention, as one of the most durable for the frame-work 

 in ship-building, for jetties, docks, sills. Other species with dense 

 wood, occurring in New Zealand, are M. lucida (Menzies) and M. 

 robusta (Cunn.), both ornamental trees with crimson flowers, called 

 Rat as by the Maories. 



