110 SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



IpomcBa simulans, Hanbury. 



Mexico. From this species the Tampico Jalap, or rather the 

 Sierra Gorda Jalap, is derived. I. operculata, Mart., yields 

 the Brazilian Jalap. 



Isatis indigotica, Fortune. 



North China. Perennial, almost shrubby. The use is 

 similar to that of the following plant. 



Isatis tinctoria, Linne. 



Dyer's Woad. From the Mediterranean regions through 

 part of the Orient, apparently extending as far as Japan. 

 A tall herb of two years' duration. The blue dye is obtained 

 from the fermented leaves. It succeeds best in rich limestone 

 ground. Many other species of Isatis, mostly Asiatic, may 

 produce perhaps dye with equal advantage. Boissier enu- 

 merates merely as Oriental twenty-eight kinds. 



Jasminum grandiflorum, Limie. 



From India to Japan. Flowers wliite. Extensively culti- 

 vated in South Europe. The delicate scent is withdrawn 

 either by fixed oils or alcoholic distillation. The pecuniary 

 yield obtainable from Jasmin cultivation seems vastly over- 

 rated, even if inexpensive labour should be obtainable. 



Jasminum odoratissimum, Linne. 



Madeira. Shrubby like the rest. Flowers yellow. Used 

 like the foregoing and following for scent. This may be pre- 

 pared by spreading upon wool or cotton, slightly saturated 

 with olive oil or other fixed oil, the flowers, and covering 

 them with other layers so prepared. The flowers are re- 

 newed from time to time until the oil is thoroughly pervaded 

 by the scent, when the latter is withdrawn by alcohol. 

 Other modes of extracting the oil exist. 



Jasminum officinale, Linne. 



From the Caucasus to China. Flowers white. This is the 

 principal species cultivated in South Europe for its scent. 



Jasminum Sambac, Aiton. 



From India to Japan. It would probably endure our cool 

 season in the northern and eastern regions. It has the 

 richest perfume of all. The bush attains a height of twenty 

 feet, and is almost climbing. The flowers are white, and 

 must be collected in the evening before expansion. The 

 relative value of many other species of Jasmin, nearly all 

 from the warmest parts of Asia, seems in no instance to have 

 been ascertained, so far as their oils or scents are concerned. 

 Our Australian species are also deliciously fragrant, amongst 

 which J. lineare, Br., occurs in our Victorian deserts, while 



