178 SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



Pipturus propinquus, Weddell. 



Insular India, South Sea Islands and warmer parts of East 

 Australia. This bush is higher and rather more hardy than 

 Boehmeria nivea; but in fibre it is similar to that plant. P. 

 velutinus (Wedd.) is closely allied. The few other species 

 serve probably as well for fibre. 



Pircunia dioica, Moquin. 



Southern Brazil and La Plata States. A. deciduous tree, for 

 shady avenues grown in South Europe, as well as in many 

 tropical countries, tested by the writer to be hardy in our 

 lowlands. It is comparatively quick of growth. 



Pisonia aculeata, Linn6. 



Tropical and sub-tropical countries of both hemispheres, ex- 

 tending as a native plant into New South Wales. This ram- 

 bling prickly bush can be chosen for hedge-copses. 



Pistacia Lentiscus, Linne. 



The Mastic-tree. Mediterranean regions. A tall evergreen 

 bush, exuding the Mastic-resin mostly through incisions 

 into its bark. In Morocco it is extensively used for hedges. 



Pistacia Terebinthus, Linn^. 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea. A tall bush or 

 small tree with deciduous foliage. The fragrant Cyprian or 

 Chio Turpentine exudes from the stem of this species. 



Pistacia vera, Linne. 



Indigenous in the Orient, as far as Persia. A deciduous tree, 

 thirty feet high, yielding the Pistacia-nuts of commerce, re- 

 markable for their green almond-like kernels. The likewise 

 deciduous P. Atlantica (Desfontaines) and the evergreen 

 South European P. Lentiscus (L.), furnishing the Mastic, 

 grow rarely to the size of large trees. 



Pisum sativum, Linne.* 



The Common Pea. Mediterranean countries and Western 

 Asia. This annual of daily use could hardly be left disre- 

 garded on this occasion. Suffice it to say, that the herbage 

 as a nutritious fodder deserves more attention than it re- 

 ceives. The green fruit contains Inosit-sugar and Cholestrin- 

 fat. For field-culture a sandy calcareous loam should be 

 chosen for this plant, to ensure rich and safe harvests. A 

 second species, P. Aucheri (Jaub. and Spach.), which is 

 perennial, occurs in alpine elevations on the Taurus. 



Pittosporum tenuifolium. Banks and Solander. 



New Zealand. This with P. eugenioides has proved exquisite 

 for tall gar'len-hedges, for which these and several other 

 species were first brought into notice by the writer. Our 



