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SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



similar to that of P. alba. It includes P. dilatata (Ait.) or 

 as a contracted variety, P. fastigiata (Desf.), the Lombardy- 

 Poplar. Greatest height 150 feet. Growth rapid, like that 

 of all other Poplars. Wood soft, light and of loose texture, 

 used by joiners, coopers and turners; also for matches; fur- 

 nishing also superior charcoal for gunpowder. Bark employed 

 in tanning. The tree requii-es damp soil. 



Populus tremula, Linne. 



The European Aspen. Height eighty feet. It extends to 

 Japan, where also a peculiar species, P. Sieboldii (Miq.), 

 exists. The Aspen- wood is white and tender, and in use by 

 coopers and joiners. Like the wood of other Poplars, much 

 sought for paper-mills as an admixture to the pulp. 



Populus tremuloides, Michaux. 



The North-American Aspen, Height fifty feet. It extends 

 west to California, where a particular sj)ecies, P. trichocarpa 

 (Torrey), occurs. All Poplars might be planted like all 

 "Willows, in our gullies, to intercept forest-fires, also generally 

 on river-banks. 



Prangos pabularia, Lindley. 



Plateaux of Mongolia and Thibet. A perennial fodder-herb, 

 much relished by sheep, eligible for cold and arid localities, 

 and deserving naturalisation on our alpine pasture-grounds. 

 Other perennial species exist near the Mediterranean Sea, on 

 the Atlas, the Caucasus and the Indian Highlands. P. 

 pabularia is regarded by some as the Silphium of Arrianus. 



Pringlea antiscorbutica, W. Anderson and P. Brown.* 



The Cabbage or Horse-Radish of Kerguelen's Island. The 

 perennial long roots taste somewhat like Horse-Padish. The 

 leaves in never-ceasing growth are crowded cabbage-like into 

 heads, beneath which the annual flower-stalks arise. The 

 plant ascends mountains in its native island to the height of 

 1400 feet, but luxuriates most on the sea-border. To Arctic 

 and other Antarctic countries it would be a boon. Probably 

 it would live not only on our shores, but also on our Alps. 

 Whalers might bring us the roots and seeds of this remark 

 able plant, which seems to have never entered into culture 

 yet. Not even its flowers in a perfect state are known. 

 The plant was used by the celebrated CaiDtain Cook and all 

 subsequent navigators, touching at yonder remote spot, as 

 Cabbage, and it proved to possess powerful properties against 

 scurvy. Dr. Hooker observes, that Pringlea can sectionally 

 be referred to Cochlearia. The whole plant is rich in a 

 pungent volatile oil. Through culture important new 

 culinary varieties may likely be raised from this plant The 

 taste of this vegetable in its natural growth is like mustard 



