Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 419 



Ribes floridum, L'Heritier. 



The black C arrant-bush of North-Eastern America. The berries 

 resemble in odor and taste those of B. nigram. Allied to this 

 is R. Hudsonianum (Richardson) from the colder parts of North - 

 America. 



Ribes Griffith!, J. Hooker and T. Thomson. 



Himalaya, at heights from 10,000 to 13,000 feet. Allied to R. 

 rubrum, bearing similar but larger berries of somewhat austere 

 taste. R. laciniatum (H. & T.) is likewise a Himalayan species 

 with red berries, and so is R, glaciale (Wallich). Furthermore, R. 

 villosum, Wall. (R. leptostachyum, Decaisne), comes from the Indian 

 highlands and seems worthy of practical notice. Dr. A. von Regel 

 (Garten-Flora, 1884) speaks of the red berries of a Spugnanic 

 Ribes, which after the first frost get quite an aromatic taste. 



Ribes G-rossularia, Linm'.* 



The ordinary Gooseberry-bush. Europe, North-Africa, extra- 

 tropical Asia, extending to the Chinese boundary [Regel], on the 

 Himalayan mountains up to a height of 12,000 feet ; in Norway 

 enduring the cold tolat. 69 30 '. This plant, familiar to everyone, 

 is mentioned here mainly to indicate the desirability of naturalising 

 it in any sub-alpine regions, where it is not indigenous already. On 

 the upper Mitchell -River, in subalpine elevations of about 4,000 feet, 

 gooseberries If inch in diameter have been reared on silurian soil 

 [R. Travers]. In near proximity on the high plains of Dargo, at 

 about 4,600 feet, this fruit developed also luxuriantly [J. Stirling]. 

 Also a honey-yielder. Use of the fruit for preserves now very 

 extensive. Shelton recommends for this purpose boiling for eight 

 minutes and the use of \ Ib. sugar for every quart of water. The 

 hybridising of closely allied species may bring about new enlarged 

 or otherwise improved sorts of fruits, as in the case of strawberries. 



Ribes nigrum, Linnt'.* 



The Black Currant-bush. Europe, Middle and Northern Asia, 

 North- America, ascending the Himalayan and Thibetan mountains 

 to a height of about 12,000 feet ; also particularly fit to be dispersed 

 through forests * in elevated situations. Hardy in Norway to lat. 

 69" 30 '. In the warmer zones a plant of mountain-regions. Par- 

 ticularly large fruits developed in the Australian Alps fully up to 

 4,600 feet elevation [J. Stirling] ; the culture or naturalisation 

 likely up to 6000 feet possible there. Best use of the fruit for 

 jellies and other kinds of preserves. 



Ribes niveum, Lindley. 



One of the Oregon Gooseberry-bushes. Berries small, black, of 

 a somewhat acid taste and rich vinous flavor. Hardy to lat. 67 (> 

 56 ' in Norway. 



