218 



Although in reality a true fruit, it should be classed as a 

 table salad, as it is eaten with the addition of pepper, salt, vinegar, 

 oil, &c., as other salads, which additions are thought to intensify its 

 delicate flavour, but many prefer it dipped in salt and eaten with 

 bread and butter. On first acquaintance it is usually considered to be 

 very insipid, especially if the novice takes it without the proper condi- 

 ments, but a liking often amounting to a craving is very readily 

 acquired by most people, although instances are known where a lifes 

 residence has not familiarized its use to others. The tree attains a 

 height of 25 to 30 feet and with due attention to cultivation will, in 

 ordinary seasons, produce crops ot 12 to fifteen dozen fruits per year, 

 although in a good season this estimate will be largely exceeded. It 

 thrives best on good ground with plenty of moisture, but is impatient 

 of both excessive wet and drought, it is also partial to slight shade 

 more especially on the sides so that fertile valleys would be exactly 

 suited to its requirements. It Avill of course grow in exposed situa- 

 tions but does not give such good results. An indelible black marking 

 ink is obtainable from the seeds, and an abundance of oil suitable for 

 illuminating purposes from the pulp. A sample of fluid extract of 

 Alligator Pear has recently been received by the Department from 

 Messrs. Parke, Davis &Co., Manufacturing Chemists of Detroit, Mich., 

 U.S.A. It is obtained from the seeds of Persea gratissima and is 

 recommended as a remedy in Intercostal Neuralgia, its medicinal pro- 

 perties were known to the natives of S. Mexico through whom Dr. 

 Frcehling of Baltimore became acquainted with it, and on whose recom- 

 mendation the drug has been prepared. 



W. LUNT. 



208.-" FUSTIC." 



(Madura tinctoria, Don.) — Morus tinctoria, Leim.J — (Chlorophora 



tinctoria, Laudich. ) 



Under the name " Fustic" — " Bois d'orange" " Palo Naranjo" — 

 a fine yellow dye wood is exported from many of the West Indian 

 Islands. The tree producing it belongs to the Order UrticaccB (the 

 nettle family). It is nearly allied to Morus, the European mulberry, 

 and to another well-known tree, the Letter Wood or Leopard Wood of 

 Trinidad Brosimum Auhletii, Poepp and Endl. Fustic is indigenous 

 to the island and groAvs rapidly, forming a fair-sized tree in good soil 

 in five or six years. The value of the wood per ton, July, 1896, is 

 from £2 15 to £5 5. As only the heart wood is used for export, the 

 outside or sap-wood has to be chipped off, which is the only prepara- 

 tion it requires. Pieces of four feet in length and six inches in diameter 



