342 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



forest hardly ever appears beyond the first water-shed run- 

 ning from the north to the south. The chief tree here is the 

 wood-oil tree, which grows to an immense size. The oil is 

 obtained by incisions made in the trunk two or three feet 

 from the ground ; and these trees are charred periodically by 

 fire, so as to induce the oil to flow more freely. Besides the 

 oil, the timber is very valuable for planking and boat-build- 

 ing {Gardeners' Chron., August 25,1877). 



Cyperus Esculentus. 



Some members of the Central Horticultural Society of 

 France are engaged on some cultural and applicatory ex- 

 periments with Cyperus esculentus a sedge having edible, 

 tuberous roots. Some cakes, and a preparation of a kind of 

 orgeat from the tubers, were declared by the society to be 

 excellent ; and further experiments were recommended. It 

 had been objected that the cultivation of this plant in the 

 climate of Paris would often prove unprofitable, because it 

 is very susceptible to frosts, and the tubers are destroyed 

 by comparatively slight frosts; but by the method of culti- 

 vation found most successful this is of little consequence, as 

 the sowing or planting is done in May, and the season for 

 lifting and using the tubers commences in August and ter- 

 minates in October. The following analysis of the compo- 

 sition of the tubers is interesting, though it does not appear 

 probable that the products of this plant will ever be of suffi- 

 cient quantity to become of real commercial importance : 

 In 100 parts there are 7.10 of Water, 28.06 of oil, 29 of starch, 

 14.07 of crystallizable sugar, 0.87 of albumen, 14.01 of cellu- 

 lose, and 6.89 of gum, coloring matter, and salts. 



The Prickly Pear. 



The Mexicans prepare a cooling drink called colindre from 

 this plant; and the French, in various parts of America, 

 make very pretty ornamental vases and flower-trays out of 

 the net-work found in its stems. I have often eaten the 

 fruit in America; and an American gentleman, a good bota-^ 

 nist, told me that he had seen the plant growing in lava at 

 the foot of Mount Etna when he visited Europe. The In- 

 dians of Florida used to live upon its fruit for three months 

 in the year, and settlers in California think it is invaluable as 



