nerves red, especially at the base. Petioles short, with © 
combined, sheathing stipules at their base. Racemes ter- — 
minal, long, erect in flower, afterwards cernuous; pedicels — 
short, in many closely-placed fascicles, with little scales or _ 
bractee at their base. Flowers fragrant. Perianth small, © 
white, in five deep, spreading segments, uniting into a 
fleshy attenuated base, which is jointed upon the pedicel. — 
Stamens eight, combined at the base into an annulus which — 
surrounds the germen. Germen superior, ovate. Styles — 
three. Stigmas obtuse. As the fruit advances to maturity 
it becomes enveloped by the enlarged and fleshy perianth, 
which thus forms an obovate, reddish, purple Berry, re- — 
sembling a small pear, with a scar at the top where the — 
seements of the perianth had been attached: within is one — 
cell, divided at the base into three imperfect cells, whose 
dissepiments enter into the base of the nut. Nut roundish, — 
very acute, longitudinally wrinkled, three-lobed at the base — 
below, and attached by the centre. Albumen copious, — 
marked with numerous clefts and fissures at the margin. In_ 
the middle of this, or nearly so, is the foliaceous Hmbryo, 
with its radicle pointing upwards. 
_ For drawings and description of this fine plant I am also 
indebted to the Rey. L. Gumpine of the island of St. Vin- 
cent. For though it has been cultivated in Britain since — 
1690, when the species was introduced by the Duke of 
Portland, it has not, as far as 1 am aware, yet produced — 
blossoms in this country. 
In its native climate, the West Indies, and the warmer 
parts of South America, its roots penetrate into the sands 
of the sea-shore and are washed by the waves: hence, in 
conjunction with the racemes of pulpy fruits, arises its usual 
English appellation. These fruits have a sweetish-acid 
and rather agreeable flavour, but are not much esteemed, — 
though generally sold in the markets. 
_ ‘The wood, when boiled in water, gives out a red colour. 
It is also employed for Cabinet-work. : i: 
— od 
—— 
Fig. 1. Flower. 2. Part of a Fruit-bearin 
Phe a S } - g Raceme. 3. Transverse se¢- 
tion of the Berry. 4. Vertical section of ditto. 5. Transverse section Of 
the Nut. 6. Embryo : magnified, 4 
