328 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Paulownia imperialis, Siebold. 



Japan. A tree, hardier than Cercis Siliquastrum, of value for 

 scenic effects. It will endure the climate of Norway to lat. 51 58 ' 

 [Professor Schuebeler]. Rises in 10 years to 30-40 feet. 



Feireskia aculeata, Miller. 



The Barbadoes-Grooseberry. West-Indies. A tall shrub, adapted 

 for hedges in localities free of frost. The cochineal-insect can be 

 reared 011 this plant also. The berries are edible ; the leaves 

 available for salad. The flowers frequented by bees. Several 

 other species exist in tropical America, among which P. Bleo, 

 Humb., is particularly handsome ; but they may not all be 

 sufficiently hardy for utilitarian purposes in an extra-tropical 

 clime. 



West-Indies. This attains the size of a fair tree. 



Pelargonium odoratissimum, Aiton* 



South-Africa. A perennial trailing herb, from the leaves of 

 which a fragrant oil can be distilled. Pelargonium-oil is exten- 

 sively produced in Algeria as a cheap substitute for attar of roses. 

 There the rate of annual production of the " essence of geranium " 

 is about 12,000 Ibs. One ton weight of fresh leaves will yield 

 about 2 Ibs. volatile oil [Piesse]. The same remark applies to the 

 shrubby P. radula and P. capitatum. The Kaffirs assert, that 

 these plants keep off snakes. Easily multiplied from cuttings. 

 On this occasion may be pleaded also for the hundreds of distinct 

 kinds of Pelargonium, many seemingly doomed to utter annihila- 

 tion in South-Africa, unless indeed some statesman there by 

 legislation will see these lovely plants protected at least on a few 

 pristine spots within permanently reserved small areas, for the joy- 

 also of future generations ; so also the hundreds of charming 

 species of Erica, only there to be found, claim immunity for ever 

 against herds and flocks ; and thus likewise might, under 

 enlightened foresight, yet timely be saved and sheltered the 

 numerous and gay Polygaleae, podalyrious Leguminosse, Phylicse, 

 Crassulse, Mesembrianthema, Proteaceae, Grnidia and the incom- 

 parable Iridege and Liliaceae of the South-African Flora, so far, at 

 least, as not to be swept away altogether from the face of the 

 globe. 



Pelargonium peltatum, Aiton. 



South-Africa. A climber, grateful to culture in mild climes ; 

 well adapted for bowers, for large garden-edgings, and for cover- 

 ing fences and minor unsightly buildings, also bare branches of 

 shrubs and small trees. 



