IN EXTHA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 49 



Brassica alba, Visiani. {Sinapis alia, Linne.) 



White Mustard. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle 

 Asia. An annual. The seeds are less pungent than those of 

 the Black Mustard, but used in a similar manner. The young . 

 leaves of both are useful as a culinary antiscorbutic salad. Dr. 

 Masters enumerates Brassica Chinensis, B. dichotoma, B. 

 Pekinensis, B. ramosa, and B. glauca among the mustards 

 which undergo cultivation in various parts of Asia, either for 

 the fixed oil of their seeds or for their herbage. From 15 lbs. 

 to 20 lbs. of seeds of the White Mustard are required for an acre. 

 In the climate of California 1,400 lbs. of seeds have been 

 gathered from an acre. Can be grown in shallow soil, even 

 on land recently reclaimed from swamps. It prefers argilla- 

 ceous ground. The return is in a few months. The stalks and 

 foliage after the seed harvest serve as sheep fodder. 



Brassica Chinensis, Linn^. 



China and Japan. Serves like B. oleracea for cabbage, and 

 may in cultivation produce new vai'ieties. B. Cretica (Lam.), 

 a woody Mediterranean species. 



Brassica juncea, J. Hook and Thorns. {B. Willdmowii, Boiss. ; 

 Sinapis juncea, Linne.) 



from Middle Africa to China. According to Colonel Drury, 

 cultivated all over India for Sarepta Mustard seeds ; also a good 

 salad plant. 



Brassica nigra, Koch. {Sinapis nigra, Linn6.) 



The Black Mustard. Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. 

 An annual. The seeds, simply crushed and then sifted, con- 

 stitute the mustard of commerce. For medicinal purposes the 

 seeds- of this species are preferable for sinapisin and other pur- 

 poses. In rich soil this plant is veiy prolific ; and in our forest- 

 valleys it is likely to remain free from the attack of aphis. 

 Chemical constituents : a peculiar fixed oil, crystalline sinapin, 

 the fatty sinapisin, myronic acid, and myrosin. 



Brassica oleracea, Linne. 



An annual or biennial coast plant, indigenous to various parts 

 of Europe. It is mentioned here with a view of showing that 

 it might be naturalised on any rocky and sandy sea-shores. 

 Fi'om the wild plant of the coast originated various kinds of 

 cabbages, brocoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kail, kohlrabi, 

 &c. Some regard the fattening qualities of cabbages as 

 superior to those of turnips, particularly for stable food dui-ing 



