295 
Dioscorea tomentosa, Koenig. 
Ooyala Tam. India. The nomenclature of some of the 
Asiatic species requires further revision. 
Dioscorea trifida, L. fil. 
Central America. One of the Tams there cultivated. 
Various other tuberous Dioscorese occur in tropical 
countries ; hut their respective degree of hardiness, taste 
and yield are not recorded or ascertained. The length of 
the Victorian warm season is probably sufficient for ripen- 
ing all these Tams. 
Diospyros Kaki, L. fil. 
The Date-plum of China and Japan. A slow growing not 
very productive tree, here recorded for completeness. The 
fruit is yellow or pink or dark purple, variable in size, 
but never larger than an ordinary apple. It has ripened at 
Sydney. D. Vwginiana, L., has been recorded among the 
timber-trees. 
Dipsacus fullonum, L. 
Fuller’s Teazel. Middle and South Europe and Middle 
Asia. A tall biennial herb. The thorny fruit-heads in use 
for fulling in cloth factories. The import during one of the 
last years into England was valued at £5000. The plant is 
most easily raised. The use of these Teazels has not yet 
been superseded by any adequate machinery. 
Doliclios Lablab, E. 
Warmer parts of Africa; probably thence spread widely 
through the tropics. An annual herb, sometimes lasting 
through several years. The young pods as well as the ripe 
seeds available for culinary use, but not of all varieties. It 
delights in rich soil, and ripens in hot countries within 
three months ; its yield is about fortyfold according to 
Eoxburgh. The whole plant forms excellent stable-feed for 
cattle. 
Dracocephalum Moldavica, L. 
North and Middle Asia. An annual showy scent- 
herb. 
