182 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Eryngium pandanifolium, Chamisso. 



South-Brazil, Paraguay, Misiones and Chaco. This or an allied 

 species, called " Caraguata," with bromeliaceous habit, yields there 

 textile fibre, which is long and silky [Kew Report. 1877, p. 37 ; 

 Gard. Chron., 1882, p. 431, E. H. Egerton]. 



Brythea edulis, S. Watson.* (Brahea edulis, H. Wendland.) 



Solely on the Californian Guadalupe-Island. This Fan-palm is 

 generically allied to Copernicia [J. Hooker, H. Wendland]. Height 

 to 40 feet, stem slender, growth comparatively fast. Bunches of 

 fruit attaining six feet in length, and a weight of 50 Ibs. Individual 

 fruits of the size of prunes, the outer portion edible. Seeds when 

 fresh quickly germinating [Dr. Franceschi]. With E. armata (S. 

 Watson), among the comparatively few Palms for extra-tropic regions. 

 From the flowering to the fruiting time only four months. 



Brythrina acanthocarpa, E. Meyer. 



South- Africa. The root attains a length of o feet and a diameter 

 of 18 inches ; it is thrice lighter than cork, and Solah-hats can be 

 cut out of solid pieces of the root [Professor MacOwan]. 



Erythrina Caffra, Thunberg. 



The Kafir- Boom. South- Africa. A very showy tree with de- 

 ciduous foliage, covered in early summer with scarlet flowers while 

 bare of leaves. Often attains a large size and is then a splendid 

 avenue-tree. Easily propagated from cuttings 6 feet long and fi-9 

 inches in diameter [T. R. Sim]. 





 Erythroxylon Coca, Lamarck.* 



Peru and Eastern Bolivia. This shrub is famed for the extra- 

 ordinary stimulating property of its leaves, which pass under the 

 names of Spadic and Coca. They contain two alkaloids, cocain and 

 hygrin ; also a peculiar tannic acid. The cocain has become of 

 great importance in medicine, as a topical anaesthetic, particularly 

 in ophthalmic surgery. In the native country of the plant its leaves 

 have for ages been in use for chewing, to stave off hunger, thirst, 

 sleep and fatigue [Capt. G-. Harrison] ; also for allaying local pain. 

 The are also chewed by the Peruvians for the purpose of increasing 

 the endurance of fatigue during long pedestrian journeys. The 

 leaves might also be kept available on board of ships, to sustain 

 strength in severe trials of sea-life. The plant is fit for dry frostless 

 climes. Succeeds well in Natal [J. M. Wood]. According to Mr. 

 G. Peppe it can be multiplied readily from cuttings. An enormous 

 quantity is annually collected and sold. The leaves have lately come 

 also into use for a liqueur. Mr. Christy mentions the use of the leaves 



