Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 513 



Spartina stricta, Roth. 



The Twin-spiked Cord-grass. Countries on the Mediterranean 

 Sea, extending to Britain and also to North- America. A rigid 

 perennial with creeping roots, recommended for fixing and rendering 

 solid any mud-flats on low shores and at the mouths of rivers ; only 

 suitable for brackish ground. 



SpartiTim junceum, Linn. 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea, thence to the Canary 

 Islands, Styria and Persia. This bush yields a textile fibre, which 

 was in prominent use already with the ancients. Broussonet already 

 brought the textile value of this spacious plant under notice. [See 

 also "Revue des Sciences Naturelles Appliquees," 1892, pp. 129-139.] 

 The flowers, which are very fragrant, provide a yellow dye and also 

 honey. 



Spergula arvensis, Linne. 



All Europe, North- Africa, West-Asia. The " Spurrey." This 

 annual herb, though easily becoming a troublesome weed, is here 

 mentioned for the desirable completeness of this enumeration. 

 The tall variety with large seeds (S. maxima, Weihe) can be chosen 

 with advantage for the commencement of tillage on any sandy soil 

 too poor for barley. It takes up the land only for about two months, 

 if grown for green fodder, and as such much increases the yield of 

 milk. It serves also for admixture to hay [Langethal]. It is one of 

 the earliest of fodder plants, and imparts a particularly pleasant taste 

 to butter. One of the best plants for green manure. On pastures it 

 proves an effective vermifuge. 



Spigelia Marylandica, Linne". 



The "Pinkroot " of North-Eastern America, north to Pennsylvania 

 and Wisconsin. A perennial handsome herb, requiring cautious 

 administration as a vermifuge. S. anthelmia, L., is an annual pretty 

 plant of tropical America, and possesses similar medicinal properties, in 

 which probably some others of the many species of this genus like- 

 wise share. 



Spilanthes oleracea, N. Jacquin. 



South- America Inaptly called the "Para-Cress." An annual 

 herb of considerable pungency, used as a medicinal salad. 



Spinacia oleracea, Linne.* 



Siberia. The ordinary spinach, an agreeable culinary annual or 

 biennial of rapid growth. Can be grown in Norway to lat. 70 4' 

 [Schuebeler]. It has a mild aperient property, like several species of 

 Chenopodium. Two varieties are distinguished, the Summer- and 

 the Winter- Spinach, the former less inclined to run into seed, but 



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