IN BXTEA-TROPICAL COUNTKIES. 43 



B. crenulata, Hock. (Diosma crenulata, L.,) is only a variety 

 of this species. Aetive principles : a peculiar volatile oil, a 

 peculiar resin, and a crystalline substance called diosmin. 



Basella lucida, Linne. 



India. Perennial. This spinage-plant has somewhat the 

 odour of Ocimum Basilicum ; other species serve also culinary 

 purposes. 



Basella rubra, Linn^. * 



From South Asia to Japan. This annual or biennial herb 

 serves as a spinage of pleasant colouration. 



Batis maritima, Linne. 



Central America and northward to Florida, also in the Sand- 

 wich Islands. This halorageous shrub can be used to fix tidal 

 sediments for the reclamation of valuable harbour-lands. 



Beesha elegantissima, Hasskarl. 



Java, or mountains about 4,000 feet high. Very tall and ex- 

 ceedingly slender; the upper branches pendulous. A hardy 

 species of Bamboo. 



Beuincasa cerifera, Savi, 



India. This annual plant produces a large edible gourd, which 

 in an unripe state forms part of the composition of many kinds 

 of currie. 



Berberis Asiatica, Roxburgh. 



Himalaya. One of the best among numerous species with 

 ' edible berries. Among these may specially be mentioned B. 

 lycium (Royle) and B. aristata (Candolle), which also yield 

 valuable yellow dye-wood (Dr. Rosenthal) . 



Berberis bttxifolia, Lamarck. 



From Magelhaen^s Straits to Chili. This bush, according to 

 Dr. PhiUppi, is the best among the South American species 

 for berries, which are comparatively large, black, hardly acid, 

 but slightly astringent. In Valdivia and Chiloe they are fre- 

 quently consumed. 



Berberis Darwinii, Hooker. 



Chiloe and South Chili. Considered one of the most hand- 

 some of all shrubs for garden hedges. Several other evergreen 

 Berbery shrubs serve the same purpose. 



