Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 341 



Opuntia vulgaris, Miller, 



The ordinary " Prickly Pear." Central America, northward to 

 Georgia, southward to Peru. Very hardy. Adapted for big hedges, 

 and like the rest not inflammable, hence particularly valuable along 

 railway -lines. It must, however, be prevented that these kinds of 

 plants obtain extensive hold of pasture-grounds. The fruit almost 

 smooth, eatable. A dye can also be prepared from its pulp and 

 that of allied species. Numerous other species are industrially 

 eligible for hedging purposes, but sometimes spreading much be- 

 yond control, particularly in warm climes. Don F. de la Camera 

 states, that in rocky ground at Malaga, the fruits on fermentation and 

 distillation give about 6 per cent, alcohol. During seasons of drought 

 the fruits are sought for aiding in the feeding of cattle. Dr. Porcher 

 found, that through picky pears the tallow for candlemaking can be 

 more hardened. See also notes in Dyer's "Kew Bulletin," 1888, 

 pp. 170-171, on various uses of Opuntias. In Texas, Caeteas of many 

 sorts are thoroughly scorched, and then cut up for dairy -feed, given 

 along with other sustenance. The thornless kinds recommendable 

 for naturalisation in the worst desert-countries to afford sustenance 

 to pasture-animals. 



Oreodoxa frigida, Humboldt. 



Central America, ascending the Andes to 8,500 feet. This dwarf 

 slender Palm may be chosen for domestic decoration. 



Oreodoxa oleracea, Martius. 



West-Indies, up to nearly 5,000 feet elevation. One of the most 

 rapid growing of all Palms, rising to a height of 120 feet. In highly 

 manured moist ground the Palm-Cabbage, which in this species is of 

 exqusite nut-flavor, can be obtained in two yeari [Imray, Jenman], 

 should ever such a culture become desirable. Hardy in Florida 

 [B. Smith]. 



Oreodoxa regia, Humboldt. 



West-Indies. This noble Palm attains a height of 60 feet. It 

 ,has proved hardy in Southern Brazil. The stem is thickened at the 

 middle, and from it, as from that of O. oleracea, starch can be 

 obtained. Found to be of easy growth and drought-resisting in 

 South-Queensland. 



Origanum Dictamnus, Linn. 



Candia. Like the following, a scent-plant of somewhat shrubby 

 growth. With O. vulgare in medicinal use since Hippocrates' time. 



Origanum Majorana, Linne. 



South-Europe, North- Africa, Middle-Asia, Arabia. Sweet Mar- 

 joram. A perennial herb, used for condiments, also for the distilla- 

 tion of its essential oil, much employed in French factories of scented 



