Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 503 



the ground for 20 feet, sending roots beneath for nourishment. This 

 is a grand honey -plant. Mr. G. Damkb'hler mentions this palm as a 

 tan-plant. The leaves can be used for cabbage-tree hats, mats, 

 baskets and other purposes, for which palm-leaves are sought. The 

 fibrous spongy parts of the stem serve as brushes. The fruits have 

 lately been turned to medicinal use. 



Sesamum Indicum, Linn<$.* 



The Gingili. Southern Asia, extending eastward to Japan, 

 originating according to A. de Candolle in the Sunda-Islands, but 

 according to Dr. Schweinfurth likely of Central African origin. 

 Well known already to Hippocrates [Fraas]. This annual herb is 

 cultivated as far as 42 north -latitude in Japan. The oil, fresh 

 expressed from the seeds, is one of the best for table-use, and free 

 from any unpleasant taste ; it congeals far less readily than olive-oil. 

 There are varieties of this plant with white, red and black seeds ; 

 the latter is the earliest and richest, but gives a darker oil. Yield 

 45 to 50 per cent, of oil. Nearly a million acres are under cultivation 

 with this plant in the Madras-Presidency. The export of the oil 

 from Bangkok in 1870 was valued, according to Simmonds, at 

 183,000 ; the market value is from 25s. to 35s. per cwt. In the 

 young German colony of East- Africa the export of Sesam-seeds in 

 1892 came to a value of about 10,000. Ripens well in the milder 

 regions of the colony of Victoria. The plant still succeeds at Malta 

 and Gaza, and is much grown in Turkey. Parched and pounded 

 the seeds make a rich soup. In Greece the seeds are often sprinkled 

 over cakes. One of the advantages of the culture of this plant 

 consists in its quick return of produce. The soot of the oil is used 

 for China-ink. S. macranthum (Oliver) from mountain-regions 

 3-4,000 feet high of equatorial Africa, attains a height of 8 feet in 

 rank growth and may also prove an advantageous oil-plant. 



Sesbania aculeata, Persoon. 



The Danchi. Intra-tropical and sub-tropical Asia, Africa and 

 Australia. This tall annual plant has proved adapted even for 

 desert-regions. Has grown very vigorously in the dry Wimmera- 

 region without application of water [St. Eloy D'Alton]. Easily 

 grown ; the produce heavy. It yields a tough fibre for ropes, nets 

 and cordage, valued at from 30 to ,40 per ton. Indian experi- 

 ments showed the strength 50 per cent, more than the government 

 standard there requires. A rope of 3^ inches thickness broke only 

 at 75 cwt. Stem and branches sought for the best gunpowder-coal 

 [De, Rinzi]. The foliage serves as fodder. Several congeneric 

 plants can be equally well utilized. 



