Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 337 



also the author's remarks in the Transact. Viet. Inst. ii, 95 (1857). 

 The best dates are grown in oases, where fresh water gushes from 

 the ground in abundance and spreads over light soil of deserts 

 subject to burning winds. The Zadie-variety produces the heaviest 

 crop, averaging 300 Ibs. to the tree ; superior varieties can only be 

 continued from offshoots of the root ; these will commence to bear 

 in five years and be in full bearing in ten years ; one male tree is 

 considered sufficient for half a hundred females. The pollen-dust 

 is sparingly applied by artificial means. The pulpy part of the 

 fruit contains about 58 per cent, of saccharine matter. It is 

 estimated, that in Egypt alone four millions of date-palms exist, 

 the produce of which is to a large extent consumed locally. The 

 date-groves of Turkey produce annually 40,000 to 60,000 tons of 

 dates in ordinarily good seasons [Le Due], The date-palm will 

 luxuriate even in saltish soil, and the water for its irrigation may 

 be slightly brackish [Surgeon-Major Colvill]. The artesian water 

 of the Oued Rir district in Algeria contains from 0'57 ounces to 

 1*07 ounces dry salt in a gallon [Holland], The importation of 

 dates during 1885 into Britain w r as 5,000 tons. Northern limit of 

 the date 35 north latitude. Into Central Australia the date-palm 

 was first introduced by the writer of this work, where it commenced 

 to bear fruit at the age of 8 years, and passed unhurt through 

 years of tremendous drought and with the scantiest supply of bad 

 water [Rev. H. Kempe]. It grows amazingly near the Gulf of 

 Carpentaria [Joseph O'Reilley]. The culture extends in Asia 

 northward to Beluchistan. The variety " Datheres-sifia " ripens 

 its fruits early in the season [NaudinJ. It is propagated from 

 suckers. Its pungent rigidity protects this palm from encroach- 

 ment of pasture-animals ; hence it can be left without hedging. 



Phoenix Hanceana, Drude. 



South-China. This palm was buried for ten days under three 

 feet of snow in the south of France without injury [Naudin]. 



Phoenix paludosa, Roxburgh. 



India. A stout species, not very tall. Of value at least for 

 decorative culture. 



Phoenix pusilla, Gaertner. 



India and South-China. A dwarf species, which bears the clime 

 of the South of France without protection [Kerchove de Den- 

 terghem]. P. farinifera (Roxburgh) appears to be identical. It 

 is adapted for sandy and otherwise dry and barren land, but 

 prefers the vicinity of the sea. Berry shining-black, with a sweet 

 mealy pulp. 



w 



