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SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



Menyanthes trifoliata, Linne. 



Inappropriately called tlie Bog-bean. Eui'ope, North and 

 Middle Asia, North America. In springy and spongy bogs. 

 A perennial herb of great beauty, which could be naturalised 

 with facility in our Alps. The root is starchy. The whole 

 plant is pervaded with a bitter j)rinciple, largely derived from 

 Menyanthin. The plant is used medicinally as a tonic and 

 febrifuge. 



Meriandra Abyssinica, F. v. Mueller. (M. Benghalensis 

 Bentham.) 



Abyssinia, on high mountains. A shrub of penetrating 

 odour, utilised much like sage. 



Mesembryanthemum acinaciforme, Linne. 



The Hottentot-Fig of South Africa. Under the same 

 vernacular name is also comprised the distinct M. edule, L. 

 Both, together with our o\\ti M. sequilaterale, Haworth, 

 which extends also Avidely along the American West Coast, 

 should be transferred into any of the most inhospitable 

 desert-regions, as they afford in the inner part of their fruit 

 a really palatable and copious food. 



Metrosideros tomentosa, A. Cunningham. 



North Island of New Zealand. Could be grown for timber 

 on rocky sea-shores. Height to 80 feet, trimk stout, but 

 comparatively short. The timber, according to Mr, Kii'k, 

 deserves attention as one of the most durable for the frame- 

 work in ship-building, for jetties, docks, sills. Other species 

 with dense timber occurring in New Zealand are M. lucida 

 (Menzies) and M. robusta (A. Cunn.), all ornamental trees 

 with crimson flowers. 



Microseris Forsteri, J. Hooker. 



The Native Scorzonera of extra-tropical Australia and New 

 Zealand. A jDerennial herb deserving attention, as likely its 

 roots would enlarge and improve through culture. On the 

 summits of our snowy mountains the plant developes itself 

 most luxuriantly. The aborigines use the root for food. The 

 plant would prove hardy in Middle Europe. 



Milium effusum, Linne. 



English Millet-Grass. Europe, North and Middle Asia, 

 North America. Perennial, suited for damp forest-land 

 particularly, the pastoral capabilities of which it enhances. 

 On river-banks it attains a height of six feet. It is relished 

 by cattle. The seeds can be used like Millet, the stems for 

 the manufacture of superior straw-hats. It is a great 

 favourite with pheasants and many other birds for the sake 

 of its seeds, which ripen early in the season. 



