Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries 299 



Nuphar multisepalum, Engelmann. 



Western North- America. This Water-Lily produces nutritious 

 seeds, which taste like Broom-Corn, and are used locally for food, 

 but are more particularly valuable for waterfowl. Various species 

 of Nympheea might be utilised in the same manner, irrespective of 

 their value as decorative lake- or pond-plants. The author naturalised 

 the British Water-Lily, Nymphrea alba (Camerarius), in Victoria 

 long ago. The very decorative N. gigantea (Hooker) extends 

 naturally in Eastern Australia to 30 S. 



Nyctanthes arbor tristis, Linne. 



India, up to Assam. This arborescent shrub or small tree (to 30 

 feet) may be grown in almost any moist regions, free from frost, 

 for the exquisite fragrance of its flowers, from which essence of 

 jasmin can be obtained. 



Nyssa aquatica, Linne. 



The Tupelo or Pepperidge. Eastern North-America. This 

 large tree can be grown in pools and deep swamps, and is thus well 

 adapted for aquatic scenery, though the foliage is deciduous. The 

 spongy roots serve as a substitute for cork and the floats of nets. 



Nyssa multiflora, Wangenheim. 



Eastern States of North- America, where it is called the Forest- 

 Tupelo or Black Gum-tree [Dr. Asa Gray] ; also called Sour Gum- 

 tree. Attains a height of about 50 feet. Suited for forest-soil ; 

 has horizontal branches and a " light, flat spray, like the Beech." 

 Can be propagated from cuttings. The wood is very hard, but 

 light, and almost unwedgable ; it serves for hubs of wheels, pumps, 

 side-boards of carts, trays, bowls, dippers, mortars, wooden shoes, 

 hatters' blocks and various turners' work. The foliage turns bright 

 crimson in autumn. The fruits are pleasantly acidulous, like those 

 of N. capitata (Walter) and of some other species, and often used 

 for preserves. 



Nyssa uniflora, Walter. 



Eastern States of North-America. The Swamp-Tupelo. Wood 

 soft, whitish ; particularly adapted for trays, bowls and carving 

 [C. Mohr], that of the roots very light and spongy, hence used for 

 corks [Dr. Asa Gray]. A shrub or small tree. The mucilaginous 

 fruits are edible. 



Ochrocarpus longifolius, Bentham and Hooker. 



Western peninsula of India. A middle-sized tree. Fruit rather 

 small, but edible ; ripens with Mangosteens still at Mysore, up to 

 3,000 feet, where the annual rainfall is only about 36 inches 

 [J. Cameron]. 



