414 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Podophyllum peltatum, Linne".* 



Eastern North-America, where it is known as the Mandrake. 

 Hardy in Christiania. A perennial forest-herb of importance for 

 medicinal purposes. The root contains the bitter resinous podo- 

 phyllin. American physicians recommend it as a drastic purgative, 

 cholagogue and hepatic stimulant. Podophyllum Emodi (Wallich), 

 occurring in the Indian mountains at heights of from 6,000 to 

 14,000 feet, can probably be used like the American species. The 

 berries of both are edible, though the root and leaves are poisonous. 

 A third species, P. pleianthum, has been described by Dr. Hance, 

 from Formosa. 



Pogostemon Patchouli, Pelletier. 



Mountains of South-Eastern Asia. A perennial herb, famed for 

 its powerful scent, arising from a volatile oil. The perfume is 

 obtained from the variety suavis according to Dr. Gr. Watt. P. 

 parviflorus and P. Heyneanus (Bentham) belong to this species. One 

 cwt. of the herb yields about 28 ounces oil [Piesse] ; but the 

 essence is chiefly obtained by enfleurage. 



Polianthes tuberosa, Linne*. 



Mexico. The Tuberose. Valuable for perfume. Available late 

 in the season ; thus one of the plants most required, to maintain 

 garden-fragrance in serene climes through the course of the year. 

 The gathering of flowers of " Tubereuses " at Grasse, Cannes and 

 adjacent villages alone comes annually to about 20,000 Ibs. [Piesse]. 

 The price is about Is. per Ib. [Daruty]. The scent is best extracted 

 by Blogg's methyl-process, mentioned under Jasminum grandi- 

 florum. The double-flowering state of this plant preferable for 

 distillation. 



Pollichia Zeilanica, F. v. Mueller. (Trichodesma Zeilanicum, Brown.) 



From Abyssinia and Southern Asia to extra-tropical Australia. 

 An annual herb, perhaps available for green manure. Dromedaries 

 show an extraordinary predilection for this herb [E. Giles] . Several 

 other species deserve trial for fodder-growth. 



Polygala crotalarioid.es, Hamilton. 



Temperate Himalaya and Khasia. Praised as an ophidian alexi- 

 pharmic. To several other species both of the eastern and western 

 hemisphere similar properties are ascribed ; but we are almost 

 entirely without any reliable medical testimony on these and many 

 other supposed vegetable antidotes against snake-poison. Doubtless 

 this small perennial herb possesses therapeutic virtues like many of 

 its congeners. 



