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clayey or calcareous or gypseous soil, and even on the very 
brink of the coast. But possibly the value of grasses of 
our own, allied to the Atocha, may in a like manner become 
commercially established, and mainly with this view paper 
samples of several grass-kinds were prepared by the writer 
(vide “ Report, Industrial Exhibition, Melbourne, 1867 ”)- 
Even in the scorching heat and the arid sands of the Sahara 
the Atocha maintains itself, and it may thus yet be destined 
to play an important part in the introduced vegetation of 
any arid places of our desert-tracts, particularly where lime 
and gypsum exist. The very tenacious fibre resists decay, 
and is much employed for the manufacture of ropes. 
During 1870 the import of Esparto ropes into England was 
18,500 tons, while the raw material to the extent of about 
130,000 tons was imported. Extensive culture of this grass 
has commenced in the south of France. It is pulled once 
a year, in the earlier part of the summer. The propagation 
can be effected from seeds, but is done usually by division 
of the root. Ten tons of dry Esparto, worth from £4 to £5 
each, can under favorable circumstances be obtained from 
an acre. The supply has fallen short of the demand. Grood 
writing paper is made from Esparto without admixture ; the 
process is similar to that for rags, but cleaner. The price of 
Esparto-paper ranges from £40 to £50 for the ton. Stipa 
arenaria, Brot., is a closely allied and still taller species, 
confined to Spain and Portugal. Consul W. P. Mark 
deserves great praise for having brought the Atocha into 
commercial and manufactural recognition. 
Styrax officinale, E. 
Countries on the Mediterranean Sea. A tall bush or small 
tree. The fragrant solid Storax-resin exudes from this 
plant, or is particularly obtained by pressure of the bark. 
Symphytum officinale, E. 
The Comfrey. Europe, Western Asia. A perennial herb. 
The root is utilized in veterinary practice. S. asperrimum, 
Sims, from the Caucasus, is recommended by some as a pro- 
lific plant for green-fodder. 
