Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 61 



Aspidosperma Quebracho, Grisebach. 



Argentina. Shrub or tree, even tall, with wood fit for xylography. 

 The bitter bark is astringent and febrifugal [Lorentz], being almost 

 as rich in tannin as that of Piptadenia Cebil. The leaves even 

 contain up to 27^ per cent. ; both have the advantage of producing 

 an almost colourless leather [Sievert]. F. Jean states that even the 

 Quebracho-wood contains 14 to 16 per cent, of tannic and 2 to 3 per 

 cent, of gallic acid. 



Astartea fascicularis, De Candolle. 



South-Western Australia. A tall shrub or small tree, with a pre- 

 dilection for swampy ground, rather remarkable for quick growth, 

 and evidently destined to take its place in antimalarian plantations. 

 The foliage is locally used for tea. 



Astragalus adscendens, Boissier and Haussknecht. 



Persia, in alpine elevations of 9,000 to 10,000 feet. A shrub, 

 attaining a height of 4 feet. Yields gum-tragacanth in abundance 

 [Haussknecht]. Many species of this genus, numerous in various 

 parts of Europe and Asia, in California and in some other parts of 

 the globe, deserve attention for pastoral and other agronomic pur- 

 poses. Tragacanth is preferentially used, to give gloss to calico, also 

 much in confectionery. 



Astragalus arenarius, Linne*. 



Europe and Western Asia. A perennial fodder-herb for any sandy 

 desert country. 



Astragalus aristatus, L'H^ritier. (A. Cephalonicus, Fischer.) 



Cephalonia. A small shrub, yielding a good tragacanth ; and so 

 probably also does the true A. aristatus of L'Heritier. 



Astragalus brachycalyx, Fischer. 



Kurdistan. A low shrub affording gum-tragacanth [Flueckiger]. 



Astragalus Cicer, Linne*. 



Middle and Southern Europe and Middle Asia. A nutritious per- 

 ennial herb, much sought by grazing animals. It requires, according 

 to Langethal, deep friable grounds and, like most leguminous herbs, 

 calcareous ingredients in the soil. 



Astragalus Creticus, Lamarck. 



Candia and Greece. A small bush, exuding the ordinary vermi- 

 cular tragacanth; the pale is preferable to the brown sort. 



