Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 299 



into this list not without hesitation, as it seems to require a tropical 

 clime to attain perfection. The annual mean temperature of 65 F. 

 suffices for this plant [Morris]. It is cultivated up to 3,000 feet in 

 Jamaica according to Mr. Fawcett. It furnishes most of the West- 

 Indian arrowroot-starch, although other species, such as M. nobilis, 

 M. Allouya and M. ramosissima, are also cultivated for a similar 

 starch contained in their tubers. Dr. Porcher observes, that it still 

 flourishes as far north as Florida, producing even in the pine-lands 

 from 200 to 300 bushels of tubers to the acre. General Sir John 

 Lefroy found in Bermuda 100 Ibs. of the root to yield 15 to 20 Ibs. 

 starch. M. Indica (Tussac) is merely a variety. 



Marliera glomerata, Bentham. (Rubachia glomerata, Berg.) 



The " Cambuca " of sub-tropical Brazil. The fruits attain the size 

 of apricots, and are locally much used for food, [Dr. Rosen thai], 



Marliera tomentosa, Cambessedes. 



Extra-tropical Brazil. The " Guaparanga." The sweet berries 

 of this tall shrub are of the size of cherries. 



Marrubium vulgare, L'Ecluse. 



Middle and South-Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia. The 

 " Horehound." This tall perennial odorous herb, though in many 

 countries quite a weed, is here also enumerated for completeness 7 

 sake. Its naturalisation can nowhere be unwelcome, as it does not 

 unduly spread, as it has important medicinal properties much de- 

 pendent on the crystalline Marrubin, and as the flowers through much 

 of the season afford to bees nectar for a pale excellent honey. The 

 plant accommodates itself readily to any forlorn waste land. M. 

 Alyssum (Linne), M. apulum (Tenore) and M. Pannoncium (1'Ecluse) 

 are also apiarian plants [D. Savastano]. 



Matricaria Chamomilla, Linne. 



The annual " Chamomile." Europe, Northern and Middle Asia. 

 A highly useful herb in medicine. In many parts of the European 

 continent it is much more extensively employed than the ordinary 

 perennial Chamomile. The infusion of the flowers has rather a 

 pleasant taste without bitterness. The flowers serve as a tonic, and 

 especially as a sudorific, and possess a peculiar volatile oil. In 

 Norway this plant is grown as far north as lat 70 22' [Schuebeler]. 

 In Portugal planted under fruit-trees for insecticidal purposes. 

 In California M. discoidea (De Candolle) seems to serve similarly 

 medicinal purposes ; it has quite the pleasant strong scent of M. 

 Chamomilla. 



Matricaria glabrata, De Candolle. 



The South-African Chamomile. This annual herb is there in 

 renown as an excellent substitute for the European Chamomile [Dr. 

 Pappe]. Several congeners exist there. 



