BOTANICAL NOTICES OF NEW PLANTS. 



29 



pericarpial covering of the fruit, in the same manner as olive-oil is obtained from 

 the olive. It is of a solid consistence, of a rich orange yellow colour, and has an 

 agreeable odour, not unlike that of the Florentine orris-root 



The genus Sagus is valuable as producing largely, though not exclusively, the 

 well-known article called sago. When the trees have acquired sufficient growth, 

 they are cut down, divided into convenient lengths, and the feculent pith in the 

 centre carefully washed out with water ; the water is allowed to stand for a while ; 

 the feculent powder subsides, and when dried constitutes sago. To give it that 

 granular form in which it is usually sold in the shops, it is made into a paste and 

 passed through a kind of sieve. In this form it is often called " pearl sago." 

 Some of the finest sago of Molucca is said to be obtained from Sagus lavis. 

 Large quantities are stated to be procured from Sagus farinifera, but of inferior 

 quality. According to Dr. Hamilton, Saguerus Bumphii produces remarkably 

 fine sago. Indeed there are very few species of the palm tribe which do not 

 yield more or less of this nutritive substance. 



It would however take up too much space to enumerate and describe all the 

 species of this noble family which are useful to mankind. It must suffice, there- 

 fore, to state that their productions comprise wine, oil, butter, milk, cream, flour, 

 sugar, salt, and other articles of food of various kinds, and in prodigious quantities. 

 But even this compressed account must tend to show the value and importance 

 of the Palmacese. 



BOTANICAL NOTICES OF NEW PLANTS. 



DICOTYLEDONES. 

 COMPOSITE. 



Dracopus amplexicaulis. Cafs. Amplexicaul Dracopus. Bot. Mag. t. 8716. This is 

 an annual possessing no beauty for the ornamental flower-garden. It is a native of North America, 

 and was raised from seeds sent to this country by Mr. Drummond, who gathered them at Texas. 

 It blossoms in July and August. Bot. Mag. 



TROPEOLE^l. 



Tropeolum tuberosum. Ruiz et Pav. Tuberous-rooted Indian Cress. Bot. Mag. t. 

 3714. This interesting species of Indian Cress has large tuberous roots, which arc eaten daily 

 by the Peruvians. In 1836, tubers were sent from John M'Lean, Esq. to Mr. Murray, of the 

 Glasgow Botanic Garden ; and by whom they have been extensively cultivated. It proves quite 

 hardy, but our summers are not long enough to make it flower freely, for the flowers are mostly 

 nipped by the frost. It will therefore require a little forcing to bring the flowers to maturity. 

 The specimen from which the drawing was taken, flowered in the Belfast Botanic Garden, in 

 1838. Bot. Mag. In the first volume of the Floral Cabinet, we inserted some important 

 observations on this plant, which were supplied us by Mr. Cameron, Curator of the Birmingham 

 Horticultural Society, and to which we wish to refer our readers. 



LABIATE. 



Torenia cordifolia. Roxb. Heart-leaved Torenia. Bot. Mag. t. 3715. This is a 

 pretty annual bearing bluish lilac flowers. According to Dr. Roxburgh, it is a native of the 



