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iEschynomene aspera, L. 
The Solah of tropical Asia. A large peretinial erect or 
floating swamp plant, probably hardy in the warmer tracts 
of our Colony. Introduced from the Botanic G-arden of 
Melbourne into the tropical parts of Australia. The pith- 
hats are made from the young stems of this plant. The 
Solah is of less importance for cultivation than for naturalisa- 
tion. 
Agave Americana, L. 
The gigantic Aloe of Central America. It comes here 
into flower in about ten years. The pithy stem can be 
utilized for some of the purposes, for which cork is usually 
employed, for instance, to form the bottom of insect-cases. 
The honey-sucking birds and the bees are very fond of the 
flowers of this prodigious plant. The leaves of this and 
some other Agaves, such as A. Mexicana, furnish the strong 
Pita-flbre, which is adapted for ropes, and even for beautiful 
textile fabrics. The sap can be converted into alcohol. 
Where space and circumstances admit of it, impenetrable 
hedges may be raised in the course of some years from 
Agaves. 
Agrostis alba, L- 
The Biorin or White Bent-Glrass. Europe, North and 
Middle Asia, North Africa, North America. Perennial, 
showing a predilection for moisture. It is valuable as an 
admixture to many other grasses, as it becomes available at 
the season, when some of them fail. Sinclair regards it as a 
pasture grass inferior to Eestuca pratensis and Dactylis 
glomerata, but superior to Alopecurus pratensis. The 
variety with long suckers is best adapted for sandy pastures, 
and helps to bind shifting sand on the sea coast, or broken 
soil on river banks. 
Aletris farinosa, E. 
The Colic root of the woodlands of North America. This 
pretty herb is of extreme bitterness, and can be medicinally 
administered as a tonic, 
