298 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Santalum album, Linne.* 



India, ascending to the temperate elevations of Mysore. A 

 small or middle-sized tree, famed for its fragrant wood and 

 roots. In the drier and stony parts of ranges the greatest 

 fragrance of the wood is generated. S. Freyeenetianum 

 (Gaudiehaud) produces sandal-wood on the mountains of the 

 Sandwich Islands up to 3,000 feet. Several other species 

 occur in Polynesia. The precious sandal-oil is obtained by 

 slow distillation from the heartwood and root, the yield being 

 about two and a half per cent. 



Santalum cygnorum, Miquel. 



South-Western Australia, where this tree yields scented sandal- 

 wood. 



Santalum Freissianum, Miquel. (S. acuminatum, A. de Can- 

 doUe.) 

 The Quandong. Desert country of extra-tropical Australia. 

 The fruits of this small tree are called Native Peaches. As 

 both the succulent outer part and kernel are edible, it is 

 advisable to raise the plant in desert tracts. 



Santalum Yasi, Seemann. 



The Sandal Tree of the Fiji Islands, where it grows on dry and 

 rocky hills. It is likely to prove hardy and 'deserves, with a 

 few other species from the South Sea Islands yielding scented 

 wood, test culture in warm temperate regions. 



Santolina cyparissias, Linn^. 



Countries on the Mediterranean Sea. A very aromatic and 

 handsome bush, of medicinal value. There are several allied 

 species. 



Saponaria officinalis, Linne. 



The Soapwort or Fuller's Herb. Europe, North and Middle 

 Asia. A perennial herb of some technologic interest, as the 

 root can be employed with advantage in some final processes 

 of washing silk and wool, to which it imparts a peculiar 

 gloss and dazzling whiteness, without injuring in the least the 

 most sensitive colours. Experiments instituted in the labo- 

 ratory of the Botanic Garden of Melbourne render it highly 

 probable that saponin, which produces the froth from the 

 soapwort, is also present in the bark and root of Acacia 

 (Albizzia) lophanta (W.). At all events, a substance closely 

 resembling saponin was unexpectedly detected (in the course 



