FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



45 



Cassia obovata, Colladon. 



South-west Asia ; widely dispersed through Africa as a native 

 or disseminated plant. Perennial. Part of the Alexandrian 

 and also Aleppo Senna is derived from this species, less 

 esteemed and less collected however than the other species. 

 Several of the Australian desert Cassias of the group of C, 

 artemisioides may also possess purgative properties. The odour 

 of their foliage is almost that of Senna. 



Castanea sativa, Miller.* {G. vesca, Gsertner). 



The Sweet Chestnut Tree. South Europe and temperate 

 Asia, as far as Japan, and a variety with smaller fruits ex- 

 tending to North America. It attains an enormous age; at 

 Mount Etna an individual tree occurs with a stem 204 feet 

 in circumference. The wood is light and coarse-grained ; the 

 importance of the tree rests on its adaptability for shade 

 plantations, its nutritious nuts and timber value. 



Castaneopsis argentea, A. Candolle. 



A lofty tree in the mountains of India, produces also edible 

 chestnuts. Other species of the genus Castaneopsis are valu- 

 able. 



Castaneopsis chrysophylla, A. de Candolle. 



The Oak-Chestnut of California and Oregon. A tree attaining 

 a large size and beautiful outlines. The leaves are golden 

 yellow underneath. Wood durable. 



Gasuarina Decaisneana, F. von Mueller. 



Central Australia, where it is the only species of the genus. 

 This tree is one of the largest among its congeners, and 

 particularly valuable for arid regions. 



Gasuarina equisetifolia, Forster. 



East Africa, South Asia, North Australia, Polynesia. 

 Attains a maximum height of 150 feet. Splendid for fuel, 

 giving gi^eat heat and leaving little ashes. The timber is 

 tough. 



Gasuarina Fraseriana, Miquel. 



South- West Australia. A middle-sized tree ; the wood easily 

 split into shingles, and also used for furniture, as it does not 

 rend. This tree is adapted even for sterile heath-land. 



Gasuarina glauca, Sieber. 



The Desert Sheoak, widely distributed through Australia, 

 but nowhere in forest-like masses. This species attains, in 

 favourable places, a height of 80 feet. Its hard durable 

 wood is valuable. Important for its rapid growth, resistance 

 to exposure for shelter plantation, and a speedy supply of 

 fuel, a remark which applies also to the following species. 



