114 Three Young Crusoes 



Sea Grape. A very interesting shrub or tree of 

 the buckwheat family, which is abundant on the 

 coast. The wood is used for furniture and fuel. 

 The branches are jointed like the Japanese knotweed 

 and covered with brown, thin bark mottled with 

 paler areas. The leaves are large, sometimes reach- 

 ing eight inches in diameter, and are often broader 

 than long. The greenish-white flowers are followed 

 by long, grape-like clusters of rounded fruits con- 

 taining a juicy pulp and a hard seed. These fruits 

 are too astringent to be much eaten unless very ripe. 



Seaside Mahoe. A small tree resembling the 

 rose of Sharon. The large flowers are yellow with 

 purple base, becoming entirely purple by the end of 

 the day. The wood is used for boat-building. 



Seven-Year Apple. A tree fifty feet high with 

 a straight trunk and soft, light-colored wood, some- 

 what resembling the ash. The fruit, which hangs on 

 the tree a long time, is four to six inches long and 

 ovoid in shape. It is used for marmalade and also 

 for making a refreshing drink. 



Soapberry Tree. A tree about forty-five feet 

 high, which prefers sandy soil. The fruits are round, 

 about an inch in diameter, with orange-brown pulp 

 and black seeds. The watery juice of the fruits has 

 been used as a substitute for soap. 



