Mr. J. Hogg's Catalogue of Sicilian Plants. 329 



Ricinus communis ; Fl. Gr. x. tab. 952 ; B. Mag. xlviii. tab. 2200. 

 The Palma Christi, originally from India, is cultivated and attains 

 a very large size in Sicily. Much oil {Oliu di Ricinu) is made from 

 its seeds. 



Momordica Elaterium; Fl. Gr. x. tab. 939 ; B. Mag. xliv. tab. 1914. 

 This is an abundant plant in clayey soils on the south coast of 

 Sicily, chiefly at Terra Nuova, Alicata, Girgenti, and Sciacca ; the 

 elasticity of the capsules is curious. 



Cucurbila lagenaria. This is a cultivated species, and much used 

 in cooking ; it is a well-flavoured gourd when eaten young ; it 

 affords a delicious dish if stuffed with forced-meat and fried in 

 oil ; a good soup is made with it ; indeed, nearly as good as that 

 made with the gourd called vegetable marrow. 



C. Pepo. In Sicilian it is called Cucumeru. Every variety of gourd 

 is cultivated. 



C. citrullus. Cultivated, and named Cetrivulu : it is most delicious 

 and refreshing in hot weather. 



Cucumis Melo. Several kinds are grown with the preceding species. 



C. sativus. 



MONCECIA GyNANDRIA. 



Andrachne Telephioides ;f Fl. Gr. x. tab. 953. 



DlCEClA DlANDRIA. 



Salix Babylonica. This ornamental tree, a native of the East, is 

 cultivated in Sicily ; it is doubtless the species alluded to in the 

 137th Psalm, where it is said, "We hanged our harps upon the 

 willows in the midst thereof." It is generally very late in the 

 year before it loses its leaves. 



S. pedicellata. I have a Sicilian specimen, given me by Sig. Gaspar- 

 rini, which much resembles S. aquatica. 



Dioscia Triandria. 



Osyris alba ;f Fl. Gr. x. tab. 954. It is now called in modern Greece 

 izXevpiToyopTo, a decoction of the root being taken in pleurisies, 

 Sibth. 



Ficus Carica. Many varieties of the fig (Ficu) are cultivated in Si- 

 cily ; the dried fruit is exported. The fig-tree springs up in every 

 soil, but it prefers a somewhat calcareous and rocky ground. 



F. carica, var. /3. sylvestris. The wild fig-tree {Ficu salvaticu, o Ca- 

 piificu) grows on old walls, in the crevices of rocks, &c. It is 

 evidently quite indigenous. 



Diozcia Pentandria. 

 Pistacia trifolia. In Sicilia, Pers. 



P. vera. In Sicilian II Pistacchiu. The nuts are used in confectionary. 

 P. Lentiscus-, B. Mag. xlv. tab. 1967. In Sicily this shrub, named 



il Lentischiu, o Lestincu, is most abundant on bare hills. 

 Cannabis saliva {Canape, Sic). 

 Ceratonia siliqua. In Sicily a spirit and a syrup are made from its 



