FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



143 



The spongy roots of this species serve as a substitute for cork 

 and the floats of nets. 



Nyssa multiflora, Wangenheim. 



Eastern States of North America, where it is called the 

 Forest Tupelo or Black Gum-tree (Dr. Asa Gray). Suited 

 for forest-soil, has horizontal branches and a "light, flat spray, 

 like the Beech." The wood is very hard, but light and almost 

 unwedgeable; it serves for hubs of wheels, pumjDs, side- 

 boards of carts, trays, bowls, dippers, mortars, wooden shoes, 

 and various turner's work. The foliage turns bright crimson 

 in autumn. The fruits are pleasantly acidulous like those 

 of N. capitata (Walter) and of some other species, and often 

 used for preserves. 



Nyssa uniflora, Walter. 



Eastern States of North America. The Swamp Tupelo. 

 Wood soft, that of the roots very light and spongy, thus used 

 for corks (Dr. Asa Gray). Attains a height of eighty feet. 

 The mucilaginous fruits are edible. 



Ocimum Basilicum, Linne. 



The Basil. Warmer parts of Asia and Africa. An annual 

 herb, valuable for condiments and perfumery. Several 

 varieties exist, differing considerably in theii' scent. A 

 crystalline substance is also obtained from this and similar 

 species. O. canum (Sims) is closely allied. 



Ocimum gratissimum, Linne. 



Recorded from India, the South Sea Islands and Brazil, as 

 indigenous. Somewhat shrubby. This is also a scent-plant 

 like the following, and is one of the best of the genus. 0. 

 viride (Willd.) from tropical Africa seems a variety. 



Ocimum sanctum, Linne. 



Arabia, India, tropical Australia. A perennial herb. The 

 odour of the variety occurring in North Australia reminds 

 of anise; the smell of the variety growing in East Australia 

 resembles cloves. O. tenuiflorum, L., seems to be another 

 variety. Probably other species, as well cis- as trans- 

 Atlantic, can be used like Basil. 



Ocimum suave, Willdenow. 



East Africa. A scrubby species. 



Olea Europaea, Linne.* 



The Olive-tree. From South-western Asia; naturalised in 

 the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. A tree not of 

 great height, but of many centuries' duration and of un- 



