Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Insular India, South-Sea Islands and warmer parts of East- 

 Australia. This bush is higher and rather more hardy than 

 Boehmeria nivea ; in fibre it is similar to that plant. P. velutinus 

 (Wedd.) is closely allied. The few other species serve probably as 

 well for fibre. 



Pircunia dioica, Moquin. (Phytolacca dioica, Linne.) 



Southern Brazil and La Plata-States. The Ombu. A deciduous 

 tree for shady avenues, grown in South-Europe as well as in many 

 other mild countries ; shown by the writer of this work to be hardy 

 in the lowlands of Victoria. It attains a height of about 60 feet, 

 and is comparatively quick of growth. Apt to be snapped off, when 

 exposed to any gales [Prof. McOwan]. The plant is also of some 

 medicinal value, like the allied Phytolacca decandra (Linne) ; the 

 use of the berries of the latter for colouring wine is objectionable, 

 as they are deleterious. 



Piscidia erythrina, Linne. 



West-Indies and Florida. u Jamaica-Dogwood." A tree, reach- 

 ing a height of about 30 feet. The bark has come into medicinal 

 use, particularly as an hypnotic. 



Pisonia aculeata, Linne. 



Tropical and sub-tropical countries of both hemispheres, extend- 

 ing as a native plant into New South Wales. This rambling prickly 

 bush can be chosen for hedge-copses. 



Pistacia Atlantica , Desfontaines. 



North-Africa. As the experienced explorer, Dr. E. Cosson, 

 recommends this tree for raising forests on the high Algerian 

 plateaux, it should also be very acceptable in other similar regions ; 

 yields mastic also. 



Pistacia Lentiscus, Linne. 



The Mastic Tree. Mediterranean regions. A tall evergreen 

 bush, exuding the mastic-resin, mostly through incisions into its 

 bark. In Morocco the plant is extensively used for hedges also. 



Pistacia Terebinthus, Linne. 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea, thence to Afghanistan 

 and Balughistan. A tall bush or small tree with deciduous 

 foliage. The fragrant Cyprian or Chio-turpentine exudes from the 

 stem of this species ; it was used already by Hippocrates medici- 

 nally. Recently it has here been employed with advantage by Dr. 

 Astles in carcinomatous affections. In Upper India the seeds are 

 pressed for oil [Brigade- Surgeon Aitchison]. 



