514 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



also less hardy. Moench recognises two species, S. 4 inermis and S. 

 spinosa. The seeds are found by Burbridge and Vilmorin to retain 

 their vitality for about five years. 



Spinacia tetrandra, Steven. 



The " Shamum." From the Caucasus and Persia to Turkestan 

 and Afghanistan. Also an annual and unisexual plant like the 

 preceding, with which it has equal value, though it is less known. 

 A. de Candolle surmises, that it may be the original parent of the 

 Spinage-plant. 



Spinifex hirsutus, La Billardiere. 



On the whole coast of extra-tropical Australia. Highly valuable 

 for binding coast-sand with its long creeping roots ; deserving 

 transfer to other parts of the world with mild clime. 



Spinifex longifolius, R. Brown. 



On the tropical and western extra-tropical coast of Australia. 

 Available like the former. These " Sand-binders " would be minor 

 helpmates of Elymus arenaria and Psamma arenaria on almost frost- 

 less coasts. 



Spinifex paradoxus, Bentham. 



Central Australia. Not unimportant as a large perennial fodder- 

 grass on sand-ridges, and remarkable for its endurance of protracted 

 drought and extremely high temperature [Flierl], but not particularly 

 liked by pasture-animals [Warby]. This is not the pungent and 

 dreaded desert-grass which is often termed Spinifex by Australian 

 explorers, but which is Triodia irritans. 



Spinifex squarrosus, Linne\ 



India. Useful for binding sand. Tennant remarks, that the 

 radiating heads become detached when the seed is matured, and are 

 carried by the wind along the sand, over the surface of which they 

 are impelled by their elastic spines, dropping their seeds as they roll 

 along. The heads are so buoyant as to float lightly on water, and 

 while their uppermost spiny rays are acting as sails, they are carried 

 across narrow estuaries, to continue the process of embanking beyond 

 on any newly formed sandbars. 



Spondias cytherea, Sonnerat. (S. dulcis, G. Forster.) 



Polynesia, perhaps also Philippine Islands. This noble tree is 

 introduced into this indicative list, with a view of showing the 

 desirability, that trials should be instituted as regards the culture of 

 the various good fruit-bearing species of this genus, one of which, S. 

 Solandri (Bentham), crosses the tropical circle in East-Australia. 



