FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



165 



Professor Kirk greatly valued for mine-props, struts, cajDS, 

 sleepers, water- tanks, bridge-planks and piles and spars ; tlie 

 Maories employ the bark for dyeing red and black. 



Phy sails Alkekengi, Linne. 



The Strawberry-Tomato or Winter- Cherry. Middle and 

 South Europe, North Africa^ Middle Asia, extending to 

 Japan, said to have come originally from Persia. A peren- 

 nial herb. The berry, which is red and of a not unpleasant 

 taste, has some medicinal value. The leaves contain a bitter 

 principle: Physalin. 



Physalis angulata, Linne. 



In many tropical countries, extending as a native plant to 

 the northern parts of the United States and to Japan. An 

 annual herb. Yellowish; the berries edible. P. minima, 

 L. (P. parviflora, P. Br.), appears to be a variety and extends 

 also into tropical Australia. 



Physalis Peruviana, Linne. 



Temperate and tropical America, widely naturalised in many 

 countries of the warmer zones. With double inaptness 

 called the Cape Gooseberry. A perennial herb ; but for pro- 

 ducing its fruit well, it requires early renovation. The 

 acidulous berries can be used as well as a table-fruit as for 

 preserves. Doubtless several other kinds of Physalis can be 

 utilised in the same manner. In colder countries the P. 

 Peruviana becomes annual. 



Pimpinella Anisum, Linne. 



The Anise-plant. Greece, Egypt, Persia. An annual. The 

 seed-like fruits enter into various medicines and condiments, 

 and are also required for the distillation of oil, rich in 

 Anethol. The herbage left after obtaining the seeds serves 

 for fodder. 



Pimpinella Saxifraga, Linne. 



Europe, North and Middle Asia. A. perennial herb ; its 

 root used in medicine; a peculiar volatile oil can be distilled 

 from the root. P. magna (L.) is a closely allied species, and 

 P. nigra (W.) is a variety. The root of the last is particu- 

 larly powerful. 



Pimpinella Sisarum, Bentham. (Smm Sisarum, Linne). 



East Asia. A perennial herb. The bunches of small tubers 

 afford an excellent culinary vegetable. The taste is sweet 

 and somewhat celery-like. The roots endure frost. 



Pinus Abies, Du Poi.* (Pinus Picea, Linne.) 



Silver-Fir, Tanne. In Middle Europe up to 50° N. latitude, 

 forming dense forests. A fine tree, already the charm of the 

 ancients, attaining 200 feet in height, and twenty feet in cir- 



