74 NATURAL HISTORY. 



Fungi, Plate X., and Mrs. Hassey's Illustrations of British Mycology, XIX. 

 Plate, Second Series). Dr. Sakharam Arjun, following old descriptions, 

 also calls the fungus Agarkus ostreatus. 



But a figure of the Polyporus is given m Batsch's Elenchus Fungoram, 

 Plate XLL, page 114, Continuatio Secunda. It is called Boletus 

 " Nitens " or Crocatus. It appears a proper description of Phanasamba has 

 not yet appeared. I exhibit several specimens, a general description of 

 which will appear in my work on the Bombay Fungi, which I hope will be 

 published at no distant date. As this variety of Polyporus mainly derives its 

 name from its habitat — growing on Phanas or Jack tree, — I have named it 

 Boletus Nitens Artocarpalis. 



ON THE FRUIT OF TRAPA BISPINOSA. 



The fruit of Trapa Bispinosa (exhibited along with the plant in 

 flower), Shingdda as known among the Hindus. 



The fruit resembles, roughly speaking, a bullock's head in miniature, 

 and is an important and highly-prized article of diet among the Hindus, 

 The whole of the fruit is mealy, and is as delicious when baked or boiled 

 as a chestnut. Peeled, pounded and boiled with milk and sugar, it forms 

 an excellent repast under the name of hulwa, and deserves to be more 

 widely known. It is eaten either fresh, or is peeled and dried for use after- 

 wards. For drying, only the mature fruit is serviceable; if it is not 

 mature, it shrivels up and often decays. Mixed with pepper, salt 

 and cocoanut kernel scrapings and fried in ghee or clarified butter, ia 

 lumps as big as a cherry or plum, it is very delicious. It is highly valued 

 by the Guzrathis, and is generally sold dried in a Kiranis shop (seller 

 of groceries and spices), and very largely used on fast days, when rice, 

 wheat, and such other daily articles of food are not eaten. 



The plant which bears this fruit is an aquatic annual, and grows very 

 quickly. It is cultivated largely in tanks around Thana, the young 

 sprouts being simply deposited on the surface of the water. It flowers 

 about August and September, and fruit is gathered about November,. 

 If the old and dead decaying leaves are removed as they form from time 

 to time, the tanks in which the plant is cultivated have clear water, 

 probably from destroying minor vegetable life on which it feeds, or at 

 any rate partially derives its nourishment. 



NOTE ON KASRA OR SCIRPUS KYSOOR. 



Read on 22nd January 1886. 



I exhibit to-day three articles — (1) the boiled hairy root-bulb ~ (2) 

 the same boiled and peeled; (3) a huhva made of the peeled bulb. 

 I also exhibit along with specimen No. 3 a huhva made of the fruit 

 of Shingach referred to in my Notes read before this Section at our Septenv 



