IN EXTRA-TKOPICAL COUNTRIES. 345 



itself into valerol (70 per cent.), valereen, bameol, and vale- 

 rianic acid. The order of ValeriansB is not represented by any- 

 native plant in Australia. 



Valerianella olitoria, Moench. 



LamVs Lettuce. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle 

 Asia. A fair and early Salad-plant. It is an annual plant, 

 and has several congeners in Europe and Asia. 



Vangueria infausta, Burchell. 



Africa, as far south as Natal and Caffraria. The fruit of this 

 shrub or small tree is medlar-like, but superior in taste. 

 Worth test cultivation with a view of improving the fruit. 



Veratrum album, Linne. 



Europe, North and Middle Asia, extending eastwards to Japan. 

 It delights particularly in Sub- Alpine localities. The root fur- 

 nishes veratrin, jervin, and sabadillic acid. 



Veratrum viride, Aiton. 



Canada and United States of North America. A near rela- 

 tive of the former plant. Its root has come recently into 

 medicinal use. 



Vicia Cracca, Linne. 



Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia, North America. 

 Perennial. Recommendable for naturalisation as a fodder 

 plant in sylvan and Alpine lands. It yields in shade a three 

 times larger return than in open pla<3es (Langethal). The 

 cognate V. Cassubica and V. biennis (Linne) serve also for 

 field culture. 



Vicia Ervilia, Willdenow. [Arvum ErviUa, L.) 



South Europe, North Africa, South-Western Asia. An an- 

 nual herb, praised as a valuable fodder plant on dry calcareous 

 soil. 



Vicia Paba, Linne.* 



The Straight Bean. Orient, particularly on the Caspian Sea. 

 This productive annual herb affords not only its seeds for 

 table use, but provides also a particularly fattening stable 

 food. The seeds contain about 33 per cent, starch. V. 

 Narbonensis (L.), from South Europe and South- West Asia, 

 is preferable for the table, because its seeds contain less bitter 

 principle, though they are smaller. 



