THE PLANTS AND GARDENS OF THE CANARY ISLANDS. 105 
Spaniards and Kharoub of the Arabs, whence comes our English 
name Carob-pods or Caronb-beans. These pods contain a quan- 
tity of agreeably flavoured mucilage and saccharine matter. 
They are employed for feeding horses, mules, and pigs. Occa- 
sionally they are seen in this country. The Carob-tree is 
valuable for dry countries, but as the species is dioecious, both 
the male and female plants should be grown, or no pods would 
be produced. The timber is of a pretty pink colour. 
Tagasaste {Cytisus prolifer, vai*. palmensis).— This is a 
valuable fodder plant, first brought into notice by the late Dr. 
Victor Perez, of Orotava. It is a native of the island of Palma. 
The ordinary plant of Teneriffe is the " Escobon." The variety 
is a large bush, often attaining a height of 12 to 15 feet, and 
covered with trifoliate leaves. In many instances Tagasaste 
is the only plant that will thrive in loose volcanic ash and 
cinders. It yields large quantities of green fodder, makes excel- 
lent hay, and its abundant sweet flowers render it a valuable 
bee-plant. Both in the Canary Islands and in other countries 
with a sub-tropical climate Tagasaste should prove of great value. 
It requires no irrigation, and when overgrown and cut down it 
yields excellent firewood. Dr. George V. Perez, M.B. (Lond.), 
the accomplished son of the advocate of Tagasaste, and now the 
leading medical authority at Puerto Orotava, takes a deep interest 
in this plant. He has lately republished his father's writings 
on the subject. {See Appendix III.) 
Canary Rosewoods.— These were at one time in great request. 
The root was known as rose-root or lignum rJioclium. The 
plants yielding them are shrubby species of Convolvulace^e. One, 
the " Guadil" [Convolvulus floridits), is a most attractive plant. 
When in flower it appears as if covered with newly fallen snow. 
It is one of the few native plants which awaken the enthusiasm 
of the local residents. It is grown at Kew from seed received 
from Dr. George V. Perez. The other plant, more correctly 
known as Rosewood, is Convolvulus scoparms, called " Lena 
Noel." This has become very rare owing to the excessive digging 
of the roots many years ago. Piesse states : " When Rosewood 
is distilled a sweet-smelling oil is procured, resembling to some 
slight degree the fragrance of the Rose ; hence the name. One 
hundredweight of wood yields about three ounces of oil. Ground 
Rosewood is valuable as a basis in the manufacture of sachet 
powders." 
