Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 465 



Spergrula arvensis, Limit'. 



All Europe, North-Africa, West- Asia. The " Spurrey." This 

 annual herb, though easily becoming a troublesome weed, is here 

 mentioned for the desirable completeness of this enumeration. 

 The tall variety with large seeds (S. maxima, Weihe) can be chosen 

 with advantage for the commencement of tillage 011 any sandy soil 

 too poor for barley. It takes up the land only for about two 

 months, if grown for green fodder, and as such much increases the 

 yield of milk. It serves also for admixture to hay [Langethal]. 

 It is one of the earliest of fodder plants, and imparts a particularly 

 pleasant taste to butter. One of the best plants for green manure. 

 On pastures it proves an effective vermifuge. 



Spigrelia Marylandica, Linne. 



The "Pinkroot" of North-Eastern America, north to Pennsyl- 

 vania and Wisconsin. A perennial handsome herb, requiring 

 cautious administration as a vermifuge. S. anthelmia, L., is an 

 annual pretty plant of tropical America, and possesses similar 

 medicinal properties, in which probably some others of the many 

 species of this genus likewise share. 



Spilanthes oleracea, N. Jacquin. 



South-America. Inaptly called the "Para-Cress." An annual 

 herb of considerable pungency, used as a medicinal salad. 



Spinacia oleracea, Lmne.* 



Siberia. The ordinary spinach, an agreeable culinary annual or 

 biennial of rapid growth. Can be grown in Norway to lat. 70 4' 

 [Schuebeler]. It has a mild aperient property, like several species 

 of Chenopodium. Two varieties are distinguished, the Summer- 

 and the Winter- Spinach, the former less inclined to. run into seed, 

 but also less hardy. Moench recognises two species, S. inermis and 

 S. spinosa. The seeds are found by Burbridge and Yilmorin to 

 retain their vitality for about five years. 



Spinacia tetrandra, Steven. 



The " Schamum." From the Caucasus and Persia to Turkestan 

 and Afghanistan. Also an annual and unisexual plant like the 

 preceding, with which it has equal value, though it is less known. 

 A. de Candolle surmises, that it may be the original parent of the 

 Spinage-plant. 



Spinifex hirsutus, La Billardiere. 



On the whole coast of extra-tropical Australia. Highly valuable 

 for binding coast-sand with its long creeping roots ; deserving 

 transfer to other parts of the world with mild clime. 



2E 



