160 AUSTRALIAN BOTANY. 



most common of the species. The Chinese Tree Paeony 

 or Moutan (Pceonia Moutan) is a shrub bearing very 

 beautiful flowers. 



Panax. — (Natural Order, Araliace^e.) See chapter 

 'Australian Vegetation,' p. 92. 



Parsnip. — PASTINACA SATIVA. (Natural Order, 

 UMBELLiFERiE.) Pp. 38, 1 8 3. — A common, edible vege- 

 table. Parsnip wine is made from the tap root. 



Passion-flower.— (Scarlet) : TACSONIA MAN1CATA. 

 (Pink): TACSONIA MORTI. (Natural Order, Passi- 

 flore^e.) Pp. 30, 63. — This genus has several botanical 

 differences from the true Passion-flower or Passion 

 fruit (Passiflora edulis). The fruits of several kinds are 

 eaten, and their handsome flowers render them great 

 favourites as climbing plants. They are hardy about 

 Melbourne, but will not thrive out of doors in elevated 

 situations, from their susceptibility to frost. 



Pea. — PISUM. (Natural Order, Leguminos^e.) Pp. 

 2, 5, 6, 41, 50, 51, 54, 183. — There are many kinds of Peas, 

 being widely different in form, etc. The common garden 

 Pea is well known, and may be easily obtained for dissection. 

 It is one of the most valuable vegetables in general use. 



Peach.— AMYGDALUS PERSICA. (Natural Order, 

 Rosacea.) Pp. 53, 186. — A short-lived tree, undersized in 

 its natural state. Cultivation has made the Peach one of 

 the most luscious and esteemed of fruits. It grows well in 

 some parts of Australia, and very plentifully in the northern 

 island of New Zealand, where Peach groves are common. 

 The Maoris distil a kind of brandy from the fruit. 



Pear. — PYRUS COMMUNIS. (Natural Order, 

 Rosacea.) Pp. 25, 52, 53, 67, 186. — Cultivation has 



