Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 519 



Strobilanthes flaccidifolius, Nees. (Ruettia iitdigofera, Griffith. ) 



The " Roum " or Indigo of Assam, cultivated since immemorial 

 times for the sake of its blue dye. In the cooler parts of China it is 

 grown as an annual and propagated from cuttings [Naudin]. 



Strophanthus Kombe, Oliver. 



Tropical Africa. A somewhat climbing shrub, which likely 

 would accommodate itself to sub-tropic regions. The seeds, which 

 contain the alkaloid Strophanthin, have come into therapeutic use ; 

 this may give a clue to possible efficacy of various congeneric or 

 co-ordinal plants, S. hispidus (De Candolle) having already in this 

 respect established its position in cardial diseases [Prof. Fraser]. 



Stylidium Vitiense, F. v. Mueller. (Market Vitiensis, Bentham.) 



Fiji, Queensland and New South Wales. A middle-sized tree, 

 generally with a gouty trunk. Wood bright-yellow, with fine 

 undulating rings, black towards the centre. Fruit edible [P. 

 O'Shanesy]. The generic name Stylidium by Loureiro has many 

 years priority over that of Marlea by Roxburgh. 



Stylosanthes elatior, Swartz. 



South-Eastern North-America, West Indies. A perennial herb 

 possessing valuable medicinal properties, sedative and tonic [Dr. 

 E. Sell]. 



Styrax officinalis, Linn<$. 



Countries on the Mediterranean Sea. A tall bush or small tree. 

 The fragrant solid storax -resin exudes from this plant, or is par- 

 ticularly obtained by pressure of the bark. 



Swertia Chirata, Hamilton. (Ophelia Chirata, Grisebach.) 



From Kashmir to Bootan and Khasia, at elevations from 4,000 to 

 10,000 feet. A perennial herb, considered as one of the best tonics ; 

 it possesses also febrifugal and antarthritic properties. Its admin- 

 istration in the form of an infusion, prepared with cold water, is the 

 best. Besides S. elegans (Wallich) and some of the other Upper 

 Indian, Chinese and Japanese species probably deserve equal atten- 

 tion. Hanbury and Fliickiger mention as chiratas or chirettas of 

 Indian Bazaars : S. angustifolia (Hamilton), S. densifolia (Grisebach) 

 and S. multiflora (Dalzell), further species of Exacum and Andro- 

 graphis. All come from the cooler uplands. C. B. Clarke speaks 

 of S. lurida and S. alata (Royle) as closely allied to the genuine 

 chirata. 



Swietenia Mahagoni, Linne\ 



The Mahogany-tree of the West-Indies, extending naturally to 

 Florida and Mexico. The degree of endurance of this famous tree 

 seems not sufficiently ascertained. In its native mountains it ascends 

 to 3,000 feet. In Jamaica it hardly reaches an elevation of 2,000 feet 



