1 78 A USTRALIAN BOTANY. 



1 7, 49. — This gaudy-flowering, bulbous-rooted plant is 

 generally known. Large quantities of bulbs are yearly 

 exported by the Dutch, who are the principal growers. 



Turnip.— BRASSICA RAPA. (Natural Order, Cruci- 

 fer./e.) Pp. 54, 183. — A very common esculent, some 

 varieties of which are largely used for feeding stock. It 

 thrives well in Victoria. 



V 



Valerian,— CENTRANTHUS. (Natural Order, Valeri- 

 ANEiE.) Pp. 32, 190. — Red Valerian succeeds very well 

 in Victoria. It is a small plant, bearing little flowers in 

 panicles. Another variety, the White Valerian, also does 

 well here. 



Vegetable Marrow. — CUCURBITA SUCCADA. 

 (Natural Order, Cucurbitace^:.) Pp. 53, 187. — A 

 common esculent ; very easily cultivated. 



Verbena. — (Natural Order, Verbenace^e.) Pp. 29, 33, 

 63. — The Vervain {Verbena officinalis) had formerly a 

 great medicinal reputation, but it has survived it. The so- 

 called Lemon-Scented Verbena, though of the same order, 

 belongs to the genus Lippia, but is almost universally 

 known as Aloysia. It is the most highly esteemed of all 

 herbal remedies by the Spanish. A few of the dried leaves 

 mixed in tea or coffee not only greatly improve the flavour 

 of those beverages, but is considered a remedy against head- 

 ache and other nervous ailments. The garden Verbenas 

 produce flowers of the most brilliant and varied colours. 



Victorian Crocus.— HYPOXIS GLABELLA. (Natural 

 Order, Amaryllide^e.) Pp. 17, 206. — A pretty little her- 



