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Origanum Onites, L. 



Countries at the Mediterranean Sea. Somewhat shrubby 

 and strongly scented. 



Origanum vulgare, L. 



The ordinary Marjoram. All Europe, North Africa, North 

 and Middle Asia. A scented herb of perennial growth, 

 containing a peculiar volatile oil. It prefers limestone soil. 

 O. fiirtum, Link., O. virens Hoffmannsegg and 0. normale 

 D. Don, are closely allied plants of similar use. Several 

 other Majorams, chiefly Mediterranean, are of value. 



Ornithopus sativus, Brotero. 



South Europe and North Africa. An annual herb, larger 

 than the ordinary Birdsfoot-clover. It is valuable as a 

 fodder-plant on sterile soil. 



Oryza sativa, L.* 



The Bice-plant. South Asia and North Australia. Annual 

 like most cereals. The many rivulets in our ranges afford 

 ample opportunities for irrigating rice-fields : but these can 

 be formed with full advantage only in the warmer parts of 

 the colony, where rice will ripen as well as in Italy, China, 

 or the Southern States of the American Union. Among 

 the numerous varieties of Indian Bice may be noted as 

 prominent sorts : The Early Bice, which ripens in four 

 months and is not injured by saline inundations. The 

 hardier Mountain Bice, which can be raised on compara- 

 tively dry ground, and which actually perishes under 

 lengthened inundation, but which is less productive. The 

 Glutinous Bice, which succeeds as well in wet as almost dry 

 places, and produces black or reddish grains. In the rich 

 plains of Lombardy, irrigated from the Alps, the average 

 crop is estimated at 48 bushels for the acre annually. The 

 spirit distilled from Bice and molasses is known as Arrack. 



Oryza latifolia, Humb. and Bonpl. 



Central America. This species is said to be perennial and 

 to attain a height of 18 feet. It deserves here trial- 

 culture, and may prove a good fodder-grass on wet land in 

 warm localities. O. perennis, Moencb., seems closely allied. 



