IN EXTUA-TROPICAL COtTNTRlEff. 37 



Astragalus Parnassi, Boissier. {A. C^Uenms, Heldreich.) 



Greece. This small sbrub furnishes there almost exclusively 

 the commercial Tragacanth. It ascends to elevations of 7,000 

 feet, becomes therefore alpine. 



Astragalus strabiliferus, Royle. 



Asiatic Turkey. The brown tragacanth is collected from this 

 species. 



Astragalus veuosus, Hochstetter. 



From Abyssinia to Central Africa. This perennial herb is 

 subjected to regular cultivation for fodder Jjuown as " Hamat 

 Kochata" (Oliver). 



Astragalus verus, Olivier. 



Asiatic Turkey and Persia. This shrub furnishes the Takalor 

 or Smyrna Tragacanth, or it is derived from an allied species. 



Astrebla pectinata, F. v. Mueller.* {Dantkomaj)ectmata, Lindley.) 

 New South Wales, Queensland, North and Central Australia;, 

 in arid regions, always inland. A perennial desert grass, resist- 

 ing drought, sought with avidity by sheep and very fattening 

 to them and other pasture animals. 



Astrebla triticoides, F. v. Mueller.* {Banthonia triticoidea, 

 Lindley.) 



The Mitchell Grass. Of nearly the same natural distribution 

 as the preceding, and equalling that species in value. Both 

 so important as to deserve rearing even in their native country. 



Atalantia glauca, J. Hooker. 



New South Wales and Queensland. This Desert Lemon is 

 mentioned here to draw attention to the likelihood of its im- 

 proving in culture, and to its fitness for being grown in arid 

 land. 



Atriplex crystallinum, J. Hooker. 



South-East Australia and Tasmania on the coast. This herb 

 vegetates solely in salty coast-sands, which, like Cakile, it helps 

 to bind, on the brink of the ocean and exposed to its spray* 



Atriplex halimoides, Lindley.* 



Over the greater part of the saline desert-interior of Australia, 

 reaching the south and west coasts. A dwarf bush, with its 

 frequent companion, A. holocarpum, among the very best for 

 salt-bush pasture. 



