IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 149 



previous slicing. The leaves of this and allied species can be 

 used as pot-herbs. 



Hibiscus Ludwigii, Ecklon and Zeyher. 



South Africa. A tall, shrubby, and highly ornamental species, 

 desirable also as yielding a fibre of great strength and 

 toughness. 



Hibiscus SabdarijOTa, Linne. 



Tropical Asia and Africa. A showy annual plant, occasionally 

 of more than one year's duration, admitting of its culture iu 

 the warmer temperate regions ,■ it is, however, cut down by 

 frost. It yields the Rosella fibre. The acidulous calyces 

 furnish a delicious sorrel and rosella jellies, particularly relished 

 in hot climes. H. pwnctatm (Dalz. & Gibs.) is mentioned as 

 an annual fibre plant, occurring in Sindh and Mooltan. 



HierocUoa redolens, R. Brown. 



South-Eastem Australia, almost confined to the Alps ; in Tas- 

 mania and New Zealand, also found in the lowlands, occurring 

 likewise in the antarctic islands and the southern extremity 

 of America. A tall, perennial, nutritious grass, with the odour 

 of Anthoxanthum. It is worthy of dissemination on moist 

 pasture land. H. borealis of the colder regions of the north- 

 ern hemisphere accompanies in the south H. redolens, but is 

 a smaller grass. These grasses are particularly valuable for 

 their fragrance as constituents of hay, the odorous principle, 

 as in Anthoxanthum, Melilotus, and Asperula, being cumarin. 

 Hierochloas are particularly appropriate for cold, wet, moory 

 grounds. 



Hippocrepis comosa, Linne. 



The Horse-shoe Vetch. Middle and South Europe, North 

 Africa. A perennial fodder herb, not without importance. 

 Likes stony ground, and delights, like most leguminous herbs, 

 in limestone soil. The foliage is succulent and nutritious. 

 Langethal recommends it for a change after Saintfoin pastures 

 fail. It furnishes not quite as much, but an earlier, fodder. 



Holcus lanatus, Linne. 



Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. A well-known and easily 

 disseminated perennial pasture grass, of considerable fattening 

 property. For rich soil better grasses can be chosen, but for 

 moist, moory, or sandy lands, and also for forests, it is one of 



