II'
already in the cooler parts of Yictoria, but also particularly
fit to be dispersed through our forests and over onr alps.
Ribes niveum, Lindl.
One of the Oregon Gooseberry-bnshes. Berries small, black,,
of a somewhat acid taste and rich vinous flavour.
Ribes rotundifolium, Michaux.
North America. Yields part of the smooth Gooseberries of
the United States. The fruit is small, but of delicious taste.
Unlike the ordinary Gooseberry, not subject to mildew.
Ribes rubrum, Linné.
The ordinary Red Currant. Europe, North America, Nortli
and Middle Asia, in the Himalayan mountains ceasing where
R. Griflithi commences to appear. One of the best fruit-
plants for jellies and preserves th a t could be chosen for the
colder mountain altitudes of our colony. The root-bark
contains Phlorrhizin. Perhaps 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, Linné.*
The Castor-oil plant. Indigenous to the tropical and subtropical
zones of Asia and Africa. A shrubby very decorative
plant, attaining tbe size of a small tree. I t was well
known to tbe Egyptians 4000 years ago, and is also mentioned
already in the writings of Herodotus, Hippocrates,
Dioscorides, Theophrastos, Plinius and otber ancient physicians,
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 placqs, without being
scorched by hot winds. I t 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 technical
uses, particularly for lubricating machinery, irrespective
of tbe value of its oil for medicinal purpose. The seeds conta
in about 50 per cent. oil. To obtain the best medicinal oil,
hydraulic pressure should be employed, and the seeds not be
subjected to heat; the seed-coat should also be removed prior
to the extracting process being proceeded with. A screw-
press suffices however for ordinary supply to obtain the oil.
By decantation and some process of filtration it is purified. For
obtaining oil to be used for lubrication of machinery or other
technological purposes, the seeds may be pressed and prepared
by various methods undei’ application of heat and access of
water. Castor-oil is usually bleached simply by exposure ta
solar light, but this procedure lessens to some extent the
laxative properties of the oil. I t dissolves completely in
waterless alcohol and in ether, and will become dissolved also
in spirit of high strength, to the extent of three-fifths of the
weight of the latter. Solutions of this kind may become
valuable for various technic purposes, and afibrd some testa
for tbe pureness of tbe oil. I f pressed under beat it will
depose margaritin. Heated in a retort about one-tbird of the
oil will distil over, and a substance resembling india-rubber
remains, which saponises with alkalies. Other educts are at
the same time obtained, which will likely become of industrial
value. These facts are briefly mentioned here merely
to explain, that tbe value of tbis easily produced oil is far
more varied than is generally supposed, and tbis remark
applies with equal force to many other chemical compounds
from vegetable sources, briefly alluded to in this present
enumerative treatise. Tbe seeds contain also a peculiar
alkaloid : Ricinin. The solid chemic compound of Castor-oil
is the crystalline Isocetin-acid {a Glycerid). The oil contains
also a non-crystalline acid peculiar to it (Ricin-acid).
Eor tbe production of a particular kind of silk tbe Ricinus-
plant is also important, inasmuch as tbe hardy Bombyx
Arrindi requires for food the leaves of this bush. The value
of Castor-oil imported in 1871 into Yictoria was according
to tbe Customs returns not less than £23,755. Even a few
of the seeds if swallowed ^will produce poisonous efiects.
Robinia Pseudacacia, Linné.
The North-American Locust-Acacia. Height to ninety feet.
The strong hard and durable wood is for a variety of purposes
in use, and particularly eligible for tree-nails, axle-trees,
turnery. The natives used the wood for tbeir bows. Tree of
rapid growth, and attains an age of several hundred years.
I t may be planted closely for timber-belts and bedge-shelter
on farm-lands. I t is one of the best trees for renovating
exhausted land and for improving poor soil. The roots are
poisonous. The allied R. viscosa attains a height of forty feet.
No less than four arborescent Robinias are recorded from
Juan Fernandez.
Roccella tinctoria, Candolle.
Canary Islands, Azores, also in Middle and South Europe and
North Africa. This Lichen furnishes the Litmus, Orseille or
Orchil for dyes and chemical tests. I t is a question of
interest, whether it could be trans-located and naturalised on
tbe cliffs also of our shores. Other dye-lichens might perhaps
still more easily be naturalised; for instance, Lecanora
t