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quality of the I’oots, and the degree of facility of their field
cultivation, require to be more ascertained.
Dioscorea sativa, Linné.
South Asia, east as far as Japan, also in the South Sea
Islands, and North and tropical East Australia, likewise recorded
from tropical Africa. Stem cylindrical, not prickly.
The acrid root requires soaking before boiling. I t has proved
hardy in the Southern States of North America.
Dioscorea spicata, Eoth.
India. Eoot used like those of other species.
Dioscorea tomentosa, Koenig.
Ooyala Yam. India. The nomenclature of some of the
Asiatic species requires further revision.
Dioscorea triflda, Linné fil.
Central America. One of the Yams there cultivated.
Various other tuberous Dioscoreæ occur in tropical countries;
but their respective degree of hardiness, taste and yield are
not recorded or ascertained. The length of tbe Victorian
warm season is probably sufiicient for ripening all these
Yams.
Diospysos Ebenum, Koenig.*
Ceylon, where it furnishes the best kind of Ebony-wood. It
is not uncommon up to 5000 feet in that island, according to
Dr. Tbwaites, hence I would recommend this large and
valuable tree for test plantations in East Gippsland and m
other lowland forest-regions of our colony, where also D.
quæsita and D. oppositifolia (Thwaites), the best Calamander
trees and D. Melanoxylon, should be tried. Many other
species of Diospyros could probably be introduced from the
mountains of various tropical regions, either for the sake of
their ebony-like wood or tlieir fruit. Black Ebony-wood
sinks in water. The price in England ranges from £ 8 to
£10 per ton, from 700 to 1000 tons being imported into
Britain annually for pianoforte-keys, the string-holders of
musical instruments and other select purposes. The
following species yield Ebony-wood, according to Hiern, some
of which may prove hardy. Indian ; D. Ebenum Koen.,
D. melanoxylon Eoxb., D. silvática Eoxb., D. Gardneri Tbw.,
D. hirsuta L. fil., D. discolor, Willd., D. Embryopteris Pers.,
D. Ebenaster Eetz., D. montana Eoxb., D. insignis Thw.,
D. Tupru Hamilt., D. truncata Zoll., D. ramifiora Wall.;
African : D. Dendo Wei w., D. mespiliformis Höchst.;
Mauritius : D. tesselaria Poiret ; Madagascar : D. haplostylis
Boivin, D. microrhombus Hiern.
D io sp y r o s Kaki, Linné fil.
The Date-plum of China and Japan. A slow-growing not
very productive tree, here recorded for completeness. The
fruit is yellow or pink or dark pui’ple, variable in size, but
never larger than an ordinary apple; it can readily be dried
on strings. A hard and soft variety occur. I t has ripened
at Sydney.
D io sp y r o s Lotus, Linné.
Erom Northern China to tbe Caucasus. Tbe ordinary Date-
plum. The sweet fruits of this tree, resembling black
cherries, are edible, and also used for the preparation of syrup.
The wood, like that of D. chloroxylon, is known in some
places as green Ebony; it must however not be confounded
with other kinds, such as are furnished by some species of
Excoecaria, Nectandra and Jacai-anda.
Diospyros Virginiana, Linné.
The North American Ebony or Parsimon. A tree 60 feet
high. Wood very hard and blackish. The sweet variety
yields a good table fruit.
Diposis Bulbocastanum, Candolle.
Chili. The tubers of this perennial herb are edible (Philippi).
Dipsacus fullonum, Linné.
Fuller’s Teazel. Middle and South Europe and Middle
Asia. A tall biennial herb. The thorny frnit-heads in use
for fulling in cloth factories. The import during one of the
last years into England was valued at £5000. The plant is
most easily raised. The use of these Teazels has not yet
been superseded by any adequate macliinery.
Dolichos Lablab, Linné.
Warmer parts of Africa; probably tbence spread widely
through the tropics. An annual herb, sometimes lasting
through several years. The young pods as well as the ripe
seeds available for culinary use, but not of all varieties. I t
delights in rich soil, and ripens in hot countries within
three months ; its yield is about fortyfold according to Eoxburgh.
The whole plant forms excellent stable-feed for cattle.
Dolichos uniflorus, Lamarck.
Tropical and sub-tropical Africa and Asia. An annual herb,
well adapted for stable pulse.
Dorema Ammoniacum, Don.
Persia, on mountains up to 4000 feet. A tall perennial herb
yielding tbe Gum-resin Ammoniacum, which might be
obtained from plants to be introduced into our snowy
mountains.
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