IN EXTEA-TKOPICAL COUNTRIES. 93 



Cypems esculentus, Linne. 



South Europe, West Asia, various parts of Africa. Produces 

 the " Chufa " or Ground Almond, an edible root, which con- 

 tains 37 per cent, of starch, 17 per cent, of oil, and 13 per 

 cent, of saccharine substance ; other (French) analyses give 

 28 per cent, oil, 29 starch, 14 sugar, 7 gum, 14 cellulose. 

 This plant does not spread like the C. rotundus, and can be 

 reared on sand-land, though in rich loose soil the harvest is 

 far more plentiful. The tubers, of which 100 to 150 can be 

 obtained from each plant, are consumed either raw or cooked. 

 Hogs root them up for food. The oil surpasses in excellence 

 of taste all other oils used for culinary purposes. The roasted 

 tubers are a fair substitute for coffee when properly planted; 

 the root crop is available in from 4 to 6 months. The root of 

 the North American C. phymatodes (Muehlenberg) is also 

 nutty. 



Cypems Papyrus, Linne. 



The Nile Papyrus, wild in various regions of Africa. Attains 

 a height of 16 feet. Though no longer strictly an utilitarian 

 plant, as in ancient times, it could scarcely be passed on this 

 occasion, as it ought to become valuable in the horticultural 

 trade. Its grand aspect recommends it as very decorative for 

 aquatic plantations. 



Cyperus proliferus, Linne fil. 



Canary Islands. The " Tagasaste." This tall herb is recom- 

 mended as a fodder plant in countries exposed to drought. 



Cypems Syriacus, Parlatore. 



The Syrian or Sicilian Papyrus. This is the Papyrus plant 

 usual in garden ciiltivation. The plants in the Melbourne 

 Botanic Garden attain a height of 8 feet, but suffer some- 

 what from frost. Other tall decorative Cyperi deserve intro- 

 duction, — for instance, C. giganteus, Rottboell, from West 

 India and Guiana, these kinds of plants being hardier than 

 others from the tropics. 



Cypems tegetnm, Roxburgh. 



India. This Galingale Rush might be naturalised on river 

 banks, to obtain material for the superior mats made of it in 

 Bengal. The fresh stems are slit longitudinally into three or 

 four pieces, each of which curls round by exsiccation, and can 

 then be worked into durable and elegant mats. 



