66 



SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



inferior in value for hay this grass is well adapted for per- 

 manent pasture, as it forms a dense turf without suffocating 

 other grasses or fodder-herbs. 



Cyperus corymbosus, Rottboell. 



India. This stately perennial species may be chosen to 

 fringe our lakes and ponds. It is extensively used for mats 

 in India. 



Cyperus esculentus, Linne. 



South Europe, West Asia, various parts of Africa. Produces 

 the " Chufa" or Ground Almond, an edible root which 

 contains 27 per cent, of starch, 17 per cent, of oil and 12 

 per cent, of saccharine substance. This plant does not spread 

 like the C. rotundus, and can be reared on sand-land, though 

 in rich loose soil the harvest is far more plentiful. The 

 tubers, of which 100 to 150 can be obtained from each plant, 

 are consumed either raw or cooked. Hogs root them up for 

 food. The oil surpasses in excellence of taste all other oils 

 used for culinary purposes. The roasted tubers are a fair 

 substitute for coffee. The root of the North American C. 

 phymatodes (Muehlenberg) is also nutty. 



Cyperus Papyrus, Liime. 



The Nile Papyrus. Though no longer strictly an utilitarian 

 plant, as in ancient times, it could scarcely be passed on this 

 occasion, as it ought to become valuable in the horticultural 

 trade. Its grand aspect recommends it as very decorative 

 for aquatic plantations. 



Cyperus proliferus, Linne fil. 



Canary Islands. The "Tagasaste." This tall herb is recom- 

 mended as a fodder-plant in countries exposed to drought. 



Cyperus Syriacus, Parlatore. 



The Syrian or Sicilian Papyrus. This is the Papyrus-plant 

 usual in garden cultivation. The plants in our Botanic 

 Garden attain a height of eight feet, but suffer somewhat 

 from frost. Other tall Cyperi deserve introduction, for 

 instance C. giganteus, Pottboell, from West India and 

 Guiana, these kinds of plants being hardier than others from 

 the tropics. 



Cyperus tegetum, Poxburgh. 



India. This Galiiigale-rush might be naturalised on river- 

 banks, to obtain material for the superior mats made of it in 

 Bengal. The fresh stems are slit longitudinally into three or 

 four pieces, each of which curls round by exsiccation, and can 

 then be worked into durable and elegant mats. 



