504 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



is of value in cases of scorbutic affections. The water-cress 

 has become naturalized in New Zealand, and grows with such 

 rapidity that it threatens to become troublesome in stopping 

 up water-courses and rivers. 



Sea Kale {Crambe maritima). A hardy perennial, native 

 of the sandy shores of Britain. It is only within the last 

 hundred years that it has been a cultivated vegetable, and 

 has now become a most useful one, its blanched leaf-stalks 

 being one of the early spring vegetables of this country. It 

 is said to have been pickled and used largely by the Romans 

 for food during sea-voyages. 



Horse Radish {Coclilearia Armoracia). Although inti- 

 mately connected with our national dish, roast' beef, and 

 although now found wild in many parts, it is doubtful if it 

 is an original native of this country ; more probably it was 

 introduced from the Continent. Its tenacity of life in even 

 the smallest portion of its root, causes it soon to establish 

 itself in uncultivated ground. 



One of the most remarkable plants of this family is 

 Pringlea anti scorbutica, a native of the uninhabited and in- 

 hospitable island called Kerguelen's Land, situated in the 

 Southern Ocean, 48° S., where it is a most conspicuous 

 plant, and where only it is found. It closely resembles the 

 common cabbage, being nearly as large, having a firm head 

 and white heart. It is found in great abundance, and is 

 highly valuable as a vegetable to the crews of ships touching 

 there. It is chiefly distinguished from cabbage by the nature 

 of its seed vessels and seeds. Another plant of the Southern 

 hemisphere possessing similar properties i&Lepidium oleraceum^ 

 a native of the shores of New Zealand, which proved of high 

 value to the first voyagers, and has now become a cultivated 

 pot-herb. 



Woad (Isatis tinctorid). A biennial, attaining the height 

 of 3 or 4 feet, and found wild throughout Europe. It has 

 been long famed for a dye, obtained from the leaves. Woad 

 was known to the ancients, and it appears from Csesar's 

 account that it was probably with the juice of this plant that 



