FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



31 



Batis maritima, Liime. 



Central America and northward to Florida, also in the Sand- 

 wich Islands. This halorageoiis shrub can be used to fix 

 tidal sediments for the reclamation of valuable harbour-lands. 



Beesha elegantissima, Hasskarl. 



Java, on mountains about 4000 feet high. Very tall and 

 exceedingly slender; the upper branches pendulous. A 

 hardy species of Bamboo. 



Benincasa cerifera, Savi. 



India. This annual plant produces a large edible gourd, 

 which in an unripe state forms part of the composition of 

 many kinds of currie. 



Berberis Asiatic a, Roxburgh. 



Himalaya. One of the best among numerous species with 

 edible berries. Among these may specially be mentioned B. 

 lycium (Royle) and B. aristata (Candolle), which also yield 

 valuable yellow dye-wood (Dr. Rosenthal). 



Berberis buxifolia, Lamarck. 



From Magelhaen's Straits to Chili. This bush, according to 

 Dr. Philippi, is the best among the South American species 

 for berries, which are comparatively large, black, hardly acid, 

 but slightly astringent. In Yaldivia and Chiloe they are 

 frequently consumed. 



Berberis Darwinii, Hooker. 



Chiloe and South Chili. Considered one of the most hand- 

 some of all shrubs for garden hedges. Several other evergreen 

 Berbery shrubs serve the same purpose. 



Beta vulgaris, Linne.* 



The Beet or Mangold Root. Middle and South Europe, 

 Middle Asia, North Africa. This well-known perennial or 

 biennial herb ought to engage the general and extensive 

 attention of our farming population. The herb is most 

 valuable as a palatable and nutritious spinage; the root is 

 of importance not only as a culinary vegetable, but, as well 

 known, also for its content of sugar, fit to be crystallised. 

 That of Beet, indeed, is now almost exclusively consumed in 

 Russia, Germany, Austria, France, Sweden and Belgium ; 

 and these countries not only produce the Beet sugar, but also 

 export it largely to the neighbouring States. The white 

 Sicilian Beet is mainly used for salads, spinage and soups. 

 The thick-ribbed variety serves like Asparagus or Seakale, 

 dressed like Rhubarb. Cereal soil, particularly such as is 

 fit for barley, is generally adapted also for the culture of 

 Beet. The rearing of the root, and the manufacture of the 



