Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 87 



and bears some few degrees of frost. Hardy in Australia as far 

 south as Moreton-Bay [Fred. Turner]. It is very rich in a peculiar 

 kind of kino, which according to Muspratt contains up to 73 per 

 cent, of Tannin. From the flowers a beautiful red dye is prepared 

 [P. L, Simmonds]. The lac-insect is also nourished by this tree ; 

 and the shellac from it is inferior only to that of Schleichera 

 trijuga ; the third quality comes from Ficus religiosa [Dr. G. Watt], 

 Calcutta exports generally shellac to the value of about a million 

 pounds annually. 



Butomus umbellatus, Linn<. 



The "Flowering Rush/' Europe, Northern and Middle Asia. 

 This elegant perennial water-plant is mentioned here more for its 

 value in embellishing our lakes and water-courses than for the sake 

 of its roots. The latter, when roasted, .are edible. The plant would 

 live in sub-alpine rivulets. In Norway it is hardy to lat. 59 55' 

 [Schuebeler]. 



Buxus Macowani, Oliver. 



South-African Box-tree. In the valleys of the Keiskama and 

 Buffalo-River. Only grows in the coast-belt, where clear of frost 

 [T. R. Sim]. . The stems attain a maximum height of 25 feet and a 

 diameter of about one foot. Yields a good box-wood for engravers' 

 purposes [B. D. Jackson], so the Socotra-species, B. Hildebrandti 

 [J. B. Balfour]. 



BUXUS microphylla, Siebold and Zuccarini. 



Japan. There used for the best of wood-engravings and turnery ; 

 considered as good as ordinary box-wood. Native name, Tsougne 

 [E. Dupont]. B. Rolfei (Tidal) represents this genus in the 

 Philippine-Islands. 



Buxus sempervirens, Linn6.* 



The Turkish Box-tree. England, Southern Europe, Northern 

 Africa, South- Western Asia, extending to Upper India and Japan. 

 Said to be introduced into Britain by the Romans. This slow- 

 growing tree should be planted to provide the indispensable 1 

 wood for wood-engravers and instrument makers, no perfect subst] 

 for it having been discovered as yet. It is also employed for shutt es, 

 rollers and various other select implements, clarionets, flutes, 

 flageolets. Box-wood, on account of its extreme density, can I 

 be used as an unit in comparative scales of the closeness of various 

 kinds of wood. The box-tree needs calcareous soil for its best 

 development. In Norway it is hardy to lat. 63 26', according to 

 Prof. Schuebeler, who saw a plant 11 feet high and 6 inches m etem- 

 diameter at lat. 58 58'. Among allied species B. Baleanca attains 

 a height of 80 feet. Other congeners are B. sub-columnans, B. 

 Cubana, B. Purdieana, B. citrifolia, B. acuminata, B. lamgata, B. 



