522 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Xanthorrhcea Tatei, F. v. Mueller. 



Kangaroo-Island. One of the largest of the so-called " Australian 

 Grass-trees," and one of the best for furnishing the fragrant resin 

 of this genus of plants, that product being in demand for particular 

 sorts of varnishes, for the manufacture of sealing-wax, for picric acid, 

 which it yields in large percentage, for coloring walls as an admix- 

 ture to lime, and for some other technologic purposes. Approximate 

 London-price now 8 for the ton, according to Mr. Will. Somerville. 

 Resin is also commercially exported from X. australis (R. Brown) 

 of Tasmania and Victoria, from X. resinosa (Persoon) of N.S. 

 Wales and Queensland, from X. quadrangulata (F. v. M.) of South- 

 Australia, from X. Preissii (Endlicher) of West-Australia, and 

 from X. hastilis (R. Brown) of New South Wales. Mechanical 

 redissemination should be effected, wherever the plants largely 

 become sacrificed for obtaining the resin, the annual collection of 

 which will yield a good and permanent income. For technologic 

 and geographic notes on various Xanthorrhceas see also " Zeitschrift 

 des oesterreich. Apotheker-Vereins xxiii., 293-295 (1885)." As 

 regards their culture they require to be amply provided with soil, 

 best of a somewhat sandy and moory nature. X. quadrangulata 

 can be grown among rocks, X. Preissii on ordinary pasture-soil. 



Xanthosoma sag-ittifolium, Schott. 



West-Indies. The tubers are largely cultivated there, and used 

 as an esculent like those of Colocasia. The plant may be as hardy 

 as the latter. 



Xanthoxylon piperitum, De Candolle. 



Used as a condiment in China and Japan. Fruit-capsules re- 

 markably fragrant. 



Ximenia Americana. Linne. 



Tropical Asia, Africa and America, passing the tropics however 

 in Queensland, and gaining also an indigenous position in Florida. 

 This bush may therefore accommodate itself to cooler climes in 

 localities free from frost. The fruits are edible, resembling yellow 

 plums in appearance ; their taste is agreeable. The wood is 

 scented. In Mexico called " Alvarillo del campo." Mr. P. O'Shaii- 

 esy recommended this shrub for hedges. 



Xylia dolabriformis, Bentham. 



The *' Pyengadu " of India, extending to China and the PhilHpine- 

 Islands, ascending mountains to 3,000 feet. An Acacia-like tree, 

 attaining a height of about 120 feet, the stem often clear up to 

 about 80 feet and of very considerable girth. Foliage deciduous. 

 The wood is reddish-brown, close-grained, and pervaded when 

 fresh by an oily glutinous clamminess. The heartwood is of 

 greater durability than even teak, and of a marvellous resistance 



