IN EXTEA-TEOPICAL COTJNTEIES. 31 



then becomes hollow and is used for spouts and troughs of 

 great durability. The pith supplies sago, about 150 lbs. from 

 a tree, according to Roxburgh. An Arenga occurs as far south 

 as Japan. 



Argania sideroxylon, Eoemer and Schultes. 



The Argan Tree. Western Barbary, on dry hills. Its growth 

 is generally slow; but it is a tree of longevity. Though 

 comparatively low in stature, its foliage occasionally spreads 

 to a circumference of 220 feet. It sends out suckers from the 

 root. The fruits serve as food for cattle in Morocco ; but here 

 the kernels would be more likely to be utilised by pressing an 

 oil from them. Height of tree exceptionally 70 feet. 



Aristida prodigiosa, Welwitsch.* 



Angola, on the driest sand-hills. A perennial fodder-grass, of 

 which the discoverer speaks in glowing terms of praise. In 

 the West African desert country, in places bare of almost all 

 other vegetation, zebras, antelopes and hares resort with avidity 

 to this grass; it affords in the dry season there, also, almost 

 the only fodder for domestic grazing animals. Moreover, 

 this seems to indicate that the closely cognate A. plmnnosa, L., 

 and A. ciUata, Desf., of the countries at or near the Mediter- 

 ranean Sea, might likewise be encouraged in their natural or 

 for cultural growth. All feathery grasses are, besides, among 

 the most lovely for minor decorative purposes or designs, and 

 this may also be said of the Australian plumous Stipa elegant- 

 issima, La Billardiere. 



Aristolochia Indica, Linne^ 



Tropical Asia and Polynesia. A perennial climber ; the leaves 

 famed as an alexipharmic. Can only be grown in places free 

 from frost. 



Aristolochia recurvilabra, Hance.. 



The green Putchuck of China. A medicinal plant, largely 

 obtained at Ningpo. The present value of its export is from ■ 

 £20,000 to 30,000 annually. 



Aristolochia serpentaria, Linne. 



The Snake-Root of North America. The root of this trailing 

 herb is valuable in medicine ; it contains a peculiar volatile oil. 

 Several other Aristolochise deserve culture for medicinal pur- 

 poses, — ^for instance, Aristolochia ovalifolia (the GuaCo) and 

 A. anguicida, from the mountains of Central America. 



