370 
Eibes nigrum, L. 
The Black Currant. Middle and Northern Asia, Europe, 
North America, ascending the Himalaian and Tibet moun- 
tains to a height of 12,000 feet. Commonly cultivated 
already in the cooler parts of Victoria, but also particularly 
fit to be dispersed through our forests and over our alps. 
Ribes niveum, Lindl. 
One of the Oregon Gooseberry-bushes. Berries small, 
black, of a somewhat acid taste and rich vinous fiavor. 
Ribes rotundifolium, Michaux. 
North America. Yields part of the smooth Gooseberries of 
the United States. The iruit is small, but of delicious taste. 
Ribes rubrum, E. 
The ordinary Bed Currant. Europe, North America^ North 
and Middle Asia, in the Himalaian Mountains ceasing 
where E. Griflithi commences to appear. One of the best 
fruit-plants for jellies and preserves that could be chosen 
for the colder mountain altitudes of our Colony. The root- 
bark contains Phlorrhizin. Perhajjs other species, than 
those recorded here, among them some from the Andes, 
may yet deserve introduction, irrespective of their showiness, 
for their fruits. 
Ricinus communis, E.* 
The Castoroil-plant. Indigenous to the tropical and sub- 
tropical zones of Asia and Africa. A shrubby very decora- 
tive plant, attaining the size of a small tree. It was well 
known to the Egyptians 4000 years ago, and is also men- 
tioned already in the writings of Herodotos, Hippocrates, 
Dioscorides, Theophrastos, Plinius and other ancient physi- 
cians, philosophers and naturalists. The easy and rapid 
growth, the copious seeding and the early return of produce, 
render this important plant of high value in a clime like 
ours, more particularly as it will thrive on almost any soil, 
and can thus be raised even on arid j^laces, without being 
scorched by hot winds. It may thus become an important 
plant also for culture in our desert-tracts, and is evidently 
destined to be one of our most eligible oil-plants for tech- 
