THE PLANTS AND GARDENS OF THE CANARY ISLANDS. 
93 
Eddoe or Coco of tropical countries {Colocasia antiquorum), with 
large sagittate leaves, is most abundant in damp situations. The 
roots are eaten, and after boiling are also given to pigs. 
Another Aroid sometimes seen is Amorphophallus Bivieri (A. 
Konjac). Like all members of the genus the flowers give forth 
a most disagreeable odour. Dracunculus canariensis is not 
cultivated. It is, however, abundant near gardens, and deserves 
to be more widely known in this country. Arundo Donax is 
agriculturally of great importance. Large patches of it are 
grown in damp situations for the sake of the stems. These are 
used for making Banana baskets, for wattles for houses, light 
fences, and trellis for supporting Vines and Tomatos. The leaves 
are used for fodder. Variegated forms are often grown in 
gardens. Both the single and double forms of Oxalis cernua 
are found along roadsides. They also form a dense growth in 
pastures. The plant is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. It 
must have spread with great rapidity, for it is apparently a 
recent introduction to the Canaries. The double form is pro- 
pagated by means of tubers. 
Field and Gaeden Peoduce. 
The old industries of the Canaries were sugar, wine, and 
cochineal. From these islands were taken the first Sugar-canes 
that reached the New World in the beginning of the sixteenth 
century. According to Ovideo, Bananas were also taken from 
the Canaries by Father Thomas, of Berlangas, into San 
Domingo in 1516, whence they were introduced to the other 
islands and to the mainland. In return the Canaries received, 
from the New World, Tomatos, Potatos, Maize, Sweet Potatos, 
Cherimoyer, Guavas, Cochineal insect, and Cactus, Papaw, 
Chayota, Passion-fruits, Pine-apple, Cape Gooseberry, and 
many others. The cultivation in the Canaries, both in extent 
and character, is almost entirely garden cultivation. The 
ploughing is done with primitive wooden ploughs by oxen. 
The fields are all small : there are no large estates or farms. 
Land everywhere is very valuable ; in fact, houses and land are 
considered the only safe investments. First-class land may sell 
for £150 to £200 per acre. Including water rights the price 
may be even higher. The rest of such land may be £15 to £25 
per acre, with £10 to £15 added for water. Even the best land 
