Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 237 



Gelsemium nitidura, Richard. 



Southern States of North-America, also in Mexico. " Yellow 

 Jessamine." A twining shrubby plant, long since introduced into 

 Australia by the writer, with numerous other plants of industrial 

 or therapeutical importance. Recommended in mania, meningitis, 

 neuralgia, irritative coughs, asthma [Prof. Bartholomew], acts 

 chiefly as an anodyne and thus may induce sleep. Active principle : 

 gelsemin. The perfume of the flowers has also come into use for 

 cosmetics. 



Genista monosperma, Lamarck. 



Mediterranean regions. One of the best of Broom-bushes for 

 arresting sand-drift. G. sphaerocarpa, Lamarck, is of like use, and 

 also comes from the Mediterranean Sea. 



Genista tinctoria, Linn6. 



Europe, Northern and Western Asia. A perennial herb, of some 

 medicinal use. From the flowers a yellow dye may be extracted, 

 which with woad gives a good green, and comes well in for domestic 

 dyeing, particularly of wool. A kind of Schiittgelb, different from 

 the one prepared from Maclura tinctoria, is obtained from this Genista, 

 known also as factitium-yellow, and perhaps not altogether to be 

 superseded by picric acid or by Anilin-colours [G-. Don ; Rosenthal ; 

 Brockhaus]. 



Gentiana lutea, Linn6. 



Sub-alpine tracts of Middle and Southern Europe. A beautiful 

 perennial herb, yielding the medicinal gentian-root. It could be easily 

 raised in high mountains elsewhere. Chemical principles : gentian- 

 bitter and gentianin. Medicinal gentian-root is also obtained from 

 Gr. punctata, L., G. purpurea, L. and G. Pannonica, Scop, of the 

 European Alps. The natives of India prize G. Kurroo (Royle), which 

 ascends the Himalayas to 11,000 feet [Dr. G. Watt]. Several native 

 species are used as substitutes in North-America, particularly G. 

 quinqueflora (Lamarck). Their straying into pasture-land must be 

 checked. Erythraea Centaurium (Linne) and its allies have not re- 

 ceived special recognition in this work, as these annual herbs are 

 common in many countries, therefore naturally available, and objec- 

 tionable on pastoral ground, although they afford a really valuable 

 domestic drug as well for external application as for internal use. 



Geonoma vaga, Grisebach and Wendland. 



West-Indies to Brazil. A dwarf decorative Palm, ascending 

 mountain-regions to 3,000 feet. 



