203 



by Hart. The last, though indicated by Dr. Christ as represent- 

 ing a new species, were not described, presumably on account of 

 their immature condition. 



The series at hand indicates that B. Undenvoodiauum is one of 

 the most distinct species in the tcniatiim group. As stated, it ap- 

 pears to be most nearly related to B. Jcnmaiii, Underw.* and B. de- 

 compositum Mart. & Gal.t From the former it differs conspicuously 

 in its greater size and more delicate texture ; and from the latter 

 imperfectly known species very noticeably in the following dis- 

 tinctive characters : (l) the peculiar shape and spacing of the seg- 

 ments, and (2) the wide divergence of the main divisions which 

 spread ordinarily at an angle of nearly or quite ninety degrees. 

 There is, moreover, in most specimens so pronounced a basiscopic 

 development of the first lateral division as to give a decided pen- 

 tagonal shape to the leaf, though this feature is not especially 

 noticeable in the type specimen. 



{United States National Museum). 



THE MANGOSTEEN.t 



The species included in the genus Garcinia are a comparatively 

 small but valuable group of oriental tropical economic plants. 

 For, not only are the timbers furnished by the Garcinias well 

 adapted for building-construction and furniture, but some of the 

 tamarinds, the gamboge of commerce, as well as the much esteemed 

 mangosteen of Malaya are among the products yielded by them. 

 Of all these products, the luscious mangosteen, which, by univer- 

 tal consent, has been admitted to be the most delicious of oriental 

 fruits, is perhaps the best-known to the layman. In the sunny re- 

 gions of the Malayan sea-board where, for the major portion of the 

 year, sunshine and shower regularly alternate to result in a truly 

 marvellous equability of climate, the Garcinia Mangostana grows 

 to perfection. Its artificial cultivation in those regions as well as 

 on the friable loams of the evergreen forests that follow the courses 

 of the rivers of the Peninsula has always been attended with con- 

 siderable success. For, within the favoured localities of its limited 

 but indigenous distribution, few fruit-crops demand less attention 

 in cultivation ; while, after it survives the early stages of its growth, 

 no operations of a cultural nature, beyond manuring, require to be 

 done for the maintenance of the crop. 



Well-grown seedlings would be at least a foot in height at the 

 close of the first year and bear from four to six leaves each. At the 

 commencement of the south-west monsoon, the seedlings should be 

 removed from the nursery beds and planted out in pits previously 

 prepared on the plantation. These pits are best excavated at dis- 

 tances of 20 ft. from one another, and should be located in open, 



» Fera Bull. 8. 69. I'JOO. (Type from Jamaica), 

 t Mem Acad. Sci. Brux. 15': \h. nl. 1. 1S42. (Type from Mexico). 

 JFrom" T(uj Tropical Agricaltarid, March 1906. 



