IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 289 



Rubus strigosus, Michaux. 



North America. Closely allied to the European Raspberry. 

 Its fruits large, also of excellent taste. It would lead too far 

 to enumerate other kinds of Rubus, although about a hundred 

 genuine species, occur, which render the genus one of very 

 wide dispersion over the globe. 



Rubus trivialis, Michaux.* 



Southern States of North America. Another shrubby species 

 with good edible fruits, which are large and black. The plant 

 will thrive in diy sandy soil. Like many other species, rich 

 in tannic acid. 



Rumex acetosa, Linne. 



The Kitchen Sorrel. Europe, Middle and North Asia to 

 Japan, also in the frigid zone of North America. A perennial 

 herb. The tender varieties, particularly the Spanish one, 

 serve as pleasant acidulous vegetables, but must be used in 

 moderation, as their acidity, like that of the species of Oxalis 

 (Wood Sorrel), depends on binoxalate of potash. The South 

 African R. luxuriaus (L.) serves likewise as culinary sorrel. 



Rumex Patientia, Linne. 



Middle and South Europe, Middle Asia. Biennial. The 

 young leaves furnish a palatable sorrel, like spinach. In 

 cold climes it pushes forth its leaves before the frost is hardly 

 gone, and thus comes in as one of the first vegetables of the 

 season. 



Rumex scutatus, Linn^. 



The French Sorrel, Middle and South Europe, North Africa, 

 Orient. Also perennial, and superior to the foregoing as a 

 culinary plant. They are all of use against scurvy and most 

 easily reared. 



Rumex vesicarius, Linne. 



South Europe, Middle Asia, North Africa. An annual herb 

 of similar utiUty as the former ones. 



Ruscus aculeatus, Linne. 



Middle and South Europe, North Africa, South- West Asia, 

 This odd plant is the only shrubby species of the genus. It 

 serves for forming garden hedges. The young shoots of this 

 and others are edible. 



