Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 507 



Vigrna lanceolata, Bentham. 



Tropical and sub-tropical Australia. Mr. P. O'Shanesy observes, 

 tliat this twiner produces, along with the ordinary cylindrical pods r 

 others underground from buried flowers, and these somewhat 

 resemble the fruit of Arachis. The plant might be rendered per- 

 haps available for culinary purposes. 



Vigfna Sinensis, Endlicher.* (Dolichos Sinensis, Humph.) 



The Cherry-Bean, also called Cow-Pea. Tropical Asia and 

 Africa. The cultivation of this twining annual pulse-herb extends 

 to Southern Europe, the United States and many other countries 

 with a temperate clime. Cultivated as Phaseolus and Faseolus 

 already by the ancients [Koernicke]. The pods are remarkable 

 for their great length, to 2 feet or occasionally 3 feet, and used like 

 French beans, dry as well as preferentially also green. This plant 

 bears plentifully even in seasons of severe drought in Central 

 Australia [Rev. H. Kempe]. It is satisfied with comparatively 

 poor soil. Y. Catjang, v. unguiculata, V. sesquipedalis and V. 

 melanophthalma are varieties of this species. In fair soil the pro- 

 duce is about forty -fold. The Laubich-grains of Egypt are from a 

 variety of this species [Sir J. Hooker], 



Villebrunia integrifolia, Gaudichaud. 



India, ascending the Himalayan mountains to 5,000 feet. A 

 small tree, allied to the Ramie-plant (Boehmeria nivea). Mr. C, 

 B. Clarke regards the fibre as one of the strongest available in 

 India, it being used for bow-strings. Other Yillebrumas for 

 instance Y. frutescens, and also some species of Debregeasia, 

 particularly D. velutina likewise deserve regular culture, for the 

 sake of their fibre. Moist forest-tracts seem particularly adapted 

 for these plants, because Y. integrifolia grows in Sikkim at an 

 elevation, where the rainfall ranges from 100 to 200 inches. Thi& 

 fibre is much more easily separable than that of Maoutia Puya, 

 according to Dr. Gr. King's observations. 



Viola odorata, Eenealm. 



The Yiolet. Middle and Southern Europe, North-Africa, Western 

 and Middle Asia. In Norway, cultivated to lat. 63 52' ; from this 

 the isothermal line northward of its cultural range can be- 

 determined. Passingly alluded to here, as this modest though 

 lovely plant should be extensively naturalised in forest-glens ; it 

 furnishes its delicate scent by enfleurage for various compositions 

 of perfumery. It flowers in the southern regions of Australia 

 through the whole of our almost six-monthly spring ; much resorted 

 to by bees. The annual produce of flowers from violets, obtained 

 at Nice and Cannes alone, amounts to about 50,000 Ibs. According^ 

 to the Revue Agricole, about 200,000 Ibs. of violet flowers are 

 annually used for scent in the vicinity of Grasse, where the price- 



