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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



carapa-tree appears to have been formerly more, abundant in the in- 

 habited districts than it now is, but it has been sought after on account 

 of the qualities of its wood till it has nearly disappeared. It is still 

 very abundant in the interior, where it grows near the rivers, and on 

 moist lands. In some places, it is said, the ground is so thickly cov- 



FiQ. 3. Omphalba Diandra (D'Aublet). 1, 2. Frait, splitting into three nuts ; 4. Internal face 

 of cotyledon ; 5. Nut with a part of the shell taken away, showing a part of the kernel. 



ered with the fruits that they come up to the knees of a person walk- 

 ing among them. The principal crop is gathered between February 

 and June or July. Another crop ripens in September and October, but 

 the oil is of an inferior quality. The fruits do not keep well, but are 

 subject to a mold which reduces them to dust, sprout readily, and are 



