184 thalamiflor;e. 



This is probably, as Sir W. Hooker observes, merely a variety 

 of O. viOLACEA. The O. ELEGANs and LATiFOLiA have, like this, 

 the sepals spotted near the apex. In none of the species, except 

 in this, have the spots, along the under surface of the margin 

 of the leaflets, been observed. The flower is rather beautiful : 

 but it is not a desirable acquisition to a garden, from the 

 numerous bulbules it produces, and by means of which, when 

 once established, it becomes a weed very diflBcult to eradicate. 



II. AvERRHOA. 



Calycine sepals 5, more or less cohering at the base. 

 Petals 5. Stamens .5, submonaclelphous at the base. 

 Ovary angulated. Styles 5, persistent. Berry large, 

 oblong, 5-siilcated, 5-ce\\ed. Seeds few in each locule, 

 fixed to the axis. 



Trees, natives of the East-Indies. Named, in honour of 

 Averroes, the most distinguished of the Arabian Philosophers, 

 born, about the middle of the 12th century, at Cordova, a city 

 of Andalusia. 



1. Averrhoa Bilimbi. Bilimhi or Bimhling. 



Calyx pubescent, petals with the limb ovali-oblong, 

 stamens 10, fruit obtusely angled, seeds without an 

 arillus, 



Cav. diss. VII. t. 219. — Rumph. Amb. I. t. 36. — De Cand. 

 Prod. I. 689. 



HAB. Cultivated. 



FL. May? 



A tree seldom more than 15-20 feet in height. Leaves 

 pinnated and sensitive to the touch. Flowers on short racemes 

 of a red colour, situated along the stem and branches. Fruit 

 containing a strong acid, which is probably the oxalic. 



This tree is a native of the East, and was brought to Jamaica 

 in the year 1793 in His Majesty's ship Providence. It is now to 

 be met with in several parts of the Island. The fruit is said 

 to form a pickle and preserve. The juice is employed to dis- 

 charge iron moulds from clothes, and ink and other stains from 

 furniture. Dr Mason Good recommends it, as an external 

 application, in several varieties of cutaneous disease. 



