312 
Indigofera Anil; L. 
Eecorded as indigenous to West India, and as extending 
naturally through Continental America from Carolina to 
Brazil. A shrub several feet high. Pods sickle-shaped, short, 
compressed. One of the principal Indigo plants under culti- 
vation both in the eastern and western hemispheres. Only 
in the warmest parts of our Colony can we hope to produce 
Indigo with remunerative success. But many of the hardier 
species seem never yet tested for pigment. Already 114 
are recorded alone from extra-tropical Southern Africa. An 
Indigofera of Oeorgia, said to be wild, perhaps I. Anil, 
yields an excellent product. The pigment in all instances 
is obtained by maceration of the foliage, aeration of the 
liquid and inspissation of the sediment. 
Indigofera argentea, B. (/. coendea, Eoxb.) 
Tropical and extra-tropical Northern Africa, Arabia, India. 
A shrub several feet high, closely allied to I. Anil, and like- 
wise a good Indigo-plant. 
Indigofera tinctoria, B. 
Warmest part of Asia, as far east as Japan, recorded also 
from tropical Africa and even Natal. A shrubby plaut, 
attaining a height of 6 feet. Pods straight, cylindrical, 
many-seeded. Extensively cultivated iu warm zones for 
Indigo, and probably hardy in our northern and eastern 
lowland regions. 
Inula Helenium, B. 
The Elecampane. Middle and South Europe, Middle Asia 
eastward to Japan. A perennial herb. The bitter and 
somewhat aromatic root, for the sake of its stimulating and 
tonic properties, is used in medicine. It contains also the 
amylaceous Inulin and the crystalline Helenin. 
Ipomoea Batatas, Poiret.* ( Batatas edidis, Choisy). 
The Sweet Potato. Tropical South America. First 
brought to Europe from Brazil. It proved well adapted 
also for our part of Australia and for New Zealand. The 
tubers atibrd a patatable food, more nutritious than ordinary 
potatoes. Varieties with red, white and yellow roots occur. 
