395 
administration S. anthelmia, L. is an annual plant of 
tropical America and possesses similar medicinal properties, 
in wliicli probably other species likewise share. 
Spilanthes oleracea, N. Jacq. 
The Para Cress. South America. An annual herb of con- 
siderable pungency, used as a medicinal salad. 
Spinacia oleracea, L. 
Sibiria. The ordinary Spinage. An agreeable culinary 
annual of rapid growth. It is of a mild aperient property. 
Spinacia tetrandra, Stev. 
Caucasus. Also annual and unisexual like the preceding 
plant, with which it has equal value, though it is less Imown. 
Stenotaphrum glabrum, Trin.* 
South Asia, Africa, warmer countries of America, not known 
from any part of Burojre or Australia. Here called the 
Buffalo-Grrass. It is perennial, creeping and admirably 
adapted for binding sea-sand and river-banks, also for form- 
ing garden edges, and for establishing a grass-sward on 
lawns much subjected to traffic ; it is besides of some pas- 
toral value. 
Stilbocarpa polaris, He Caisne and Plauchon. 
Auckland’s and Campbell’s Islands, and seemingly also in 
the southern extremity of Hew Zealand. A herbaceous 
plant wilh long roots, which are saccharine and served some 
Avrecked people for a lengthened period as sustenance. The 
plant is recommended here for further attention, as it may 
prove through culture a valuable addition to the stock of 
culinary vegetables of cold countries. 
Stipa tenacissima, B.* {Mmrochloa tenadsima, Kunth.) 
The Esparto or Atocha. Spain, Portugal, Hroece, North 
Africa, ascending the Sierra Nevada to 4000 feet. This 
grass has become celebrated since some years, having- 
afforded already a vast quantity of material for British 
paper-mills. It is tall and perennial, amd may prove here a 
valuable acquisition, inasmuch as it lives on any kind of poor 
soil, occurring naturally on sand and gravel as well a's on 
