Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 73 



MacOwan]. Active principles : a peculiar volatile oil, a peculiar resiu 

 and a crystalline substance called diosmin. Empleurum serrulatum 

 (Solander), a small South- African shrub, yields also Bucco-leaves as 

 noted by Prof. Eichler. 



Basella lucida, Lhm<$. 



India. Perennial. This spinage-plant has somewhat the odor 

 of Ocimum Basilicum. This may be regarded as a tall form of the 

 following. Occasionally used for trellises. It is the most approved 

 kind for food, being particularly succulent. Easily propagated from 

 cuttings [Sir Joseph Hooker]. Other species serve also for culinary 

 purposes. May be referred as a variety to the following. 



Basella rubra, Linn4. 



From Southern Asia to Japan. This annual or biennial herb 

 serves as a spinage of pleasant colouration, and is of quick growth, but 

 is not possessed of the agreeable flavor of real spinage. It yields 

 also a rich purple dye, not easily fixed however [Johnson]. B. alba 

 (Linne) is merely a variety. 



Bassowia SOlanacea* Bentham. (Withtringia solanacea, L'Heritier.) 



South-America. This perennial herb needs more trial-culture, on 

 account of its large edible tubers. 



Batis maritima, Linne. 



Central America and northward to Florida, also the Sandwich- 

 Islands. This shrub can be used advantageously to fix tidal sedi- 

 ments for the reclamation of harbor-lands and of 6therwise valuable 

 shore-ground. 



Beesha elegantissima, Hasskarl. 



Java, on mountains of about 4,000 feet elevation. Very fall and 

 exceedingly slender; the upper branches pendulous. A hardy species 

 of Bamboo. The genus is referable to Ochlandra. 



Bells jaculifolia, Salisbury. (Gunninghamia Sinensis, R. Brown.) 



Southern China. A tree, attaning 40 feet in height. Though too- 

 slow for timber-growth, it should not be passed in this work, as its 

 Araucaria-like habit entitles it to a place in any arboretum, which 

 is not subject to severe frost; it proved hardy at Arran [Rev. D. 

 Landsborough]. The tree furnisheV resin ; the timber serves build- 

 ing purposes well. 



Benincasa cerifera, Savi. 



India, Philippines, China, Japan, perhaps also North-Eastera 

 Australia and Polynesia. This annual plant produces a large 

 edible gourd, which in an unripe state forms part of the composition 



