Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 155 



this plant renders it only valuable for scenic decorative culture ; 

 it endures the climate of Melbourne without protection. Cycas 

 media (R. Br.) may also prove hardy, and would be a noble 

 horticultural acquisition, as it is the most gigantic of all Cycadeas, 

 attaining a height of 70 feet in tropical .East-Australia. C. Siamensis 

 (Miquel) will endure a temperature occasionally as low as the freez- 

 ing paint. Like the Zamia-stems, the trunks of any Cycas admit of 

 translocation, even at an advanced age ; and like the stems of many 

 kinds of tree-ferns, they can be shipped on very long voyages packed 

 as dead goods in closed wood-cases, deprived of leaves and soil, for 

 subsequent revival in conservatories, as shown many years ago by 

 the writer of this work. The Macrozamias can be associated with 

 the hardier palms in gardens, M. spiralis advancing naturally south- 

 ward to the 37th degree. One genuine Zamia occurs as indigenous 

 in Florida, several in Mexico are extra-tropical, while Z. Chiqua 

 (Seemann), or a closely allied species, ascends to 7,000 feet in 

 Central- America. The genuine species of Encephalartos, all from 

 South-Africa, also endure the night-frosts of Melbourne perfectly 

 well. 



Cymopterus glomeratus, De Candolle. 



North-America, in the Missouri-region. Root edibile [Dr. 

 Rosenthal]. 



Cynara Cardunculus, 



The Cardoon. At the Mediterranean Sea, extending to the 

 Canary-Islands. A perennial herb. The bleached leaf-stalks serve 

 as esculents. The foliage employed also as a substitute for rennet. 

 This as well as the following will come to perfection in Norway to 

 lat. 63 52' [Schuebele]. Readily raised from seeds. The root also 

 edible [Vilinorin]. 



Cynara Scolymus, 



The Artichoke. South-Europe and North-Africa. The recep- 

 tacles and the base of the flower-scales well known as a vegetable. 

 The plant is perennial, and here chiefly mentioned as entitled to 

 extended culture, grouped with other stately plants. Several 

 other species are worthy of cultivation. In Italy Artichokes are 

 much grown under olive-trees, to utilise spare-ground. The plant 

 is greatly benefited in cultivation by a dressing with sea-weed or 

 any other manure containing sea-salt [G-. W. Johnson]. The 

 leaves serve instead of rennet. Seeds will keep for several ^ years. 

 To preserve good varieties, sprouts are replanted, from which all 

 the buds except two or three of the strongest are removed. ^ Low- 

 lying ground and somewhat peaty soil can be utilised for this plant 

 [Vilmorin]. 



