Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 313 



when dried. European superior species, probably admitting of 

 introduction, are: M. esculenta, M. Gigas, Pers., M.'rimosipes, D.C., 

 M. Bohemica, Krombh., M. deliciosa, Fries (which extends to Java), 

 M. Patula, Pers. and M. Smithiana, the Bell-Morel ; but several 

 others occur in other parts of the globe. Though these fungs show 

 a predilection for pine-forests, they are not dependent upon them ; 

 thus the writer found M. conica (Persoon) in Eucalyptus-forests, and 

 this late in the autumn. Dr. M. C. Cooke records as edible Victorian 

 species : M. esculenta, Linne, M. conica, Pers., M. deliciosa, Fries, 

 M. semilibera, De Candolle. M. esculenta is an early spring-species. 

 M. Smithiana is over a foot high. They can all be dried and preserved 

 for culinary purposes. Morels contain some poison-principle, called 

 Helvella-acid, which needs removal by boiling them in water ; this 

 acid is volatile or readily decomposed, so that dried Morels are 

 nearly free of it [Boehm and Kuelz]. 



Moringa pterygosperma, Gaertner. 



The Horseradish-Tree of India, abundant as far as the middle 

 regions of the mountains. Height to about 20 feet, but thick- 

 stemmed. Fruits in Eastern sub-tropic Australia copiously. The 

 plant is reared readily. The long pods are of culinary use ; the 

 seeds are somewhat almond-like and rich in oil, which has no per- 

 ceptible smell, and is esteemed by watchmakers particularly. Gum 

 exudes from the stem. M. aptera (Gaertner) occurs from Abyssinia 

 and from Egypt to Arabia and Syria. M. Concanensis (Nimmo) is an 

 allied species from the drier regions of North- Western India. 



Morns alba, Linne.* 



The White Mulberry-tree. Upper India and Western China. 

 This tree in several varieties provides the food for the ordinary 

 Chinese silk-insect (Bombyx Mori). Silk was produced in Italy 

 700 years ago, and this branch of industry has nourished there ever 

 since. In China silk has been reeled for 4,500 years ; this may 

 demonstrate the permanency of an industry, which we wish to 

 establish extensively anywhere under a similar sky. "One pound 

 of silk is worth its weight in silver, and this pound may be pro- 

 duced (so far as the food of the Bombyx is concerned) from thirty 

 pounds of mulberry-leaves or from a single tree, which may thus 

 be brought to yield annually the material for 16 yards of Gros de 

 Naples" [R. Thompson]. The White Mulberry-tree is of extremely 

 easy growth from cuttings, also readily raised from well-matured 

 seeds. Will live even on somewhat saline soil [Th. Kessal]. It is 

 usually unisexual, and finally attains a very large size. It can 

 still be grown in climes, where olives will no longer thrive. In 

 Norway the tree bore seeds still in latitude 59 55' [Schuebeler], 

 It passed through years of severe drought in Central Australia [Rev. 

 H. Kempe]. Spots for Mulberry-culture must not be over moist, 

 when the leaves are to be utilised for the Bombyx. In 1870, 



