Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 465 



Ribes orientale, Desfontaines. 



From Greece to the Himalaias, up to an elevation of about 11,000 

 feet. The leaves emit a pleasant perfume [C. Koch]. The berries 

 act as a powerful purgative [Dr. Aitchison]. 



Ribes oxyacanthoides, Linne. (R. hirtellum, Michaux.) 



North- America, particularly in the New England- States, extending 

 to Canada, Hudson's Bay and New Mexico, ascending the Californian 

 mountains to 9,000 feet. The Currant- Gooseberry. It likes moist 

 ground. Yields the commonest smooth gooseberry there. Fruit of 

 good size, its pulp sweetish [Sir J. Hooker]. 



Ribes rotundifolium, Michaux.* 



Eastern North- America, as far as Canada. Hardy northward to 

 69 30' in Norway. Yields part of the smooth gooseberries of the 

 United States. The fruit is small, but of delicious taste. Unlike 

 the ordinary gooseberry, not subject to mildew. Careful cultivation 

 has gradually advanced the size of the fruit [Meehan]. 



Ribes rubrum, Linn.* 



The ordinary Red Currant-bush. Europe, North-America, up to 

 sub-arctic regions, Northern and Middle Asia, in the Himalayan 

 mountains ceasing where R. Griffith! commences to appear. One of 

 the best fruit-plants for jellies and preserves, that can be chosen for 

 colder mountain-altitudes. It endures the climate of Norway to lat. 

 70 30' [Prof. Schuebeler]. Dr. Maund in the Isle of Wight 

 produces fertile hybrids between the Red and the Black Currant 

 [Dr. Masters]. Near Mount St. Bernard, in the Australian Alps, on 

 sources of the Ovens-River the growth of Red Currants, Parsnips, 

 Cabbages, Radishes, Beet, and other hardy fruits and vegetables has 

 been particularly quick, after the winter rest of the soil under snow. 

 The root-bark contains phlorrhizin. During its short flowering time 

 much sought by bees, the honey thus obtained excellent. Perhaps 

 other species than those recorded here, among them some from the 

 Andes, may yet deserve introduction, irrespective of showiness, for 

 their fruits. See also an extensive treatise on cider from Red 

 Currants by H. Timm, in Cappeln. 



Richardia Africana, Kunth. (7?. Aethiopica, Rosenthal.) 



The " Calla " of gardens. From the Nile to the Cape of Good 

 Hope. Important for scenic effects, particularly on the margins of 

 waters. One of the earliest among spring-flowering plants, thus a 

 calendar-plant, though flowering through several months. Will 

 bear unhurt some frost. Easily moved at all seasons. The fresh 

 root contains about 2 per cent, of starch. 



Richardsonia scabra, Kunth. 



From Mexico to Brazil. As an herb for pastures and hay-crop 

 appreciated in localities with sandy soil [C. Mohr]. It has spread 

 over the Southern States of North-America. 



2 H 



