Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 137 



Colocasia odora and C. macrorrhiza are allied to this species. 

 Several "other aroid plants deserve attention for test-culture on 

 account of their edible roots, among them Cyrtosperma edule (See- 

 mann) from the Fiji-Islands. 



Combretum butyracemn, Caruel. 



The Butter-tree of Caffraria and other parts of South-Eastern 

 Africa. The Caffirs call the fatty substance obtained from this 

 tree Chiquito. It is largely used by them as an admixture to their 

 food, and is also exported. It contains about one-quarter olein and 

 three-quarters rnargarin. This butter-like fat is extracted from the 

 fruit, and is of an aromatic flavour. The tree should be hardy in the 

 warmer and milder parts of extra-tropical countries. The exact 

 systemic position of this tree remains still obscure. 



Comptonia asplenifolia, Solander. 



The Sweet -Fern of North- America. This dwarf shrub is perhaps 

 quite worthy of dissemination on sterile hills, as the foliage contains 

 nearly 10 per cent, of tannin ; an extract of the leaves has come into 

 the tanning trade. The plant is also not without medicinal value. 



Condalia micro'Dliylla, Cavanilles. 



The Piquillin. Chili and Argentina. A bush, yielding sweet, 

 edible, succulent fruit. 



Conium maculatum, Linn6. 



The Poison-Hemlock. Europe, Northern Africa, Northern and 

 Western Asia. A biennial herb, important for medicinal purposes. 

 It should however not be allowed to stray from its plantations, as it 

 is apt to be confounded with culinary species of Anthriscus, 

 Chserophyllum and Myrrhis, and may thus cause, as a most dangerous 

 plant, disastrous mistakes. Active principles : coniin in the fruit, 

 also conhydrin. The wild or naturalised plant best for therapeutic 

 use. 



Conopodium deimdatum, Koch. 



Western Europe. The small tuberous roots of this herb, when 

 boiled or roasted, are available for food, and known as Earth- 

 Chestnuts The plant is allied to Carum Bulbocastanum. 



Conospermum Stcechadis, Endlicher. 



West-Australia. The question has arisen, whether this shrub, 

 with C. triplinervium (R. Brown), ought to be introduced into any 

 desert-country. All kinds of pasture-animals browse with avidity on 

 the long, tender and downy flower-stalks and spikes, without touching 

 the foliage, thus not destroying the plant by close cropping. 



