216 



SELECT PLANTS EEADILY ELIGIBLE 



roots. In the drier and stony parts of ranges the greatest 

 fragrance of the wood is generated. S. Freycenetianum 

 (Gaudichaud) produces sandal- wood on the mountains of the 

 Sandwich Islands, up to 3000 feet. Several other species 

 occur in Polynesia. The precious sandal-oil is obtained by 

 slow distillation from the heartwood and root, the yield being 

 about two and a-half per cent. 



Santalum cygnorum, Miquel. 



South- Western Australia, where this tree yields scented 

 sandal-wood. 



Santalum Prelssianum, Miquel. (S. acuminatum, A. de 

 Candolle.) 



The Quandong. Desert-country of extra-tropical Australia. 

 The fruits of this small tree are called Native Peaches. As 

 both the succulent outer part and kernel are edible, it is ad- 

 visable to raise the plant in desert-tracts, where the species 

 does not occur, since moreover it becomes gradually sacrificed 

 on many native places by pasture operations. 



Santalum Yasi, Seemann. 



The Sandal-tree of the Fiji Islands, where it grows on dry 

 and rocky hills. It is likely to prove hardy here, and 

 deserves with a few other species from the South Sea Islands, 

 yielding scented wood, test-culture in the warmest parts of 

 our colony. 



Santolina cyparissias, Linne. 



Countries at the Mediterranean Sea. A very aromatic and 

 handsome bush, of medicinal value. There are several allied 

 species. 



Saponaria officinalis, Linn6. 



The Soapwort or Fuller's Herb. Europe, North and Middle 

 Asia. A perennial herb of some technologic interest, as the 

 root can be employed with advantage in some final processes 

 of washing silk and wool, to which it imparts a peculiar 

 gloss and dazzling whiteness, without injuring in the least the 

 most sensitive colours. Experiments instituted in the labo- 

 ratory of the Botanic Garden of Melbourne render it highly 

 probable that Saponin, which produces the froth from the 

 Soapwort, is also present in the bark and root of Acacia 

 (Albizzia) lophanta (W.) At all events a substance closely 

 resembling Saponin was unexpectedly detected (in the course 

 of other investigations entrusted to Mr. Rummel) in the 

 bark of this Acacia, and this substance occurred in so large 

 a proportion as to constitute 10 per cent, of the dry bark. 



