Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 59 



same manner as bamboo-joints are used in India. Rows or belts of 

 it intercept sewage or exsiccate stagnant drainage, and will also 

 arrest bush-fires. The roots can readily be carried by tourists ; 

 landscapes might thus far be embellished. Pasture-animals like to 

 browse on the young foliage. Dr. Bancroft proved this plant a 

 splendid " stay -by " in seasons of drought, and recommends reserve- 

 fields of it regularly to be kept. 



Arundo Karka, Retzius. 



India, China, Japan. The Durma-mats are made of the split stems 

 of this tall reed. 



Arundo Pliniana, Turra. 



On the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. A smaller plant than 

 A. Donax, with more slender stems and narrower leaves, but 

 similarly evergreen, and resembling the Donax-reed also in other 

 respects. 



Arundo saccharoides, Poiret. (Gynerium saccharoides, Humboldt.) 



The Uva-grass. Central and Northern parts of South- America. 

 Attaining a height of 20 feet. Like the following, it is conspicuously 

 magnificent, but of different aspect and less hardy. The flower- 

 bunches are a commercial article, being in demand for decorative 

 purposes, either dyed or in their natural state, like the following. 



Arundo Sellowiana, Schultes.* (Arundo dioica, Sprengel non Loureiro, 

 Gynerium argenteum, Nees.) 



The "Pampas-grass" of Uruguay, Paraguay and La Plata-States. 

 A grand autumnal flowering-reed, with gorgeous feathery panicles. 

 As an industrial plant it deserves here a place, because paper can be 

 prepared from its leaves, as first shown by the author. 



Asimina triloba, Dunal. 



South-Eastern States of North-America, extending to New York. 

 A small tree ; the comparatively large pulpy fruit is of pleasant odor 

 and of sweet taste, and when well ripened it is edible. Prof. Naudin 

 thinks that by selection from carefully cultivated plants the fruit 

 would much improve. 



Asparagus acutifolius, Linn4. 



In all the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, also in the 

 Canary-Islands. Although a shrubby Asparagus, yet the root-shoots, 

 according to Dr. Heldreich, are collected in- Greece, and are tender 

 and of excellent taste, though somewhat thinner than those of the 

 ordinary herbaceous species ; in Istria and Dalmatia they are con 

 sumed as a favorite salad. The shrub grows on stony rises, and the 

 shoots are obtained without cultivation. A. aphyllus, L. and A. 



