86 ON THE VEGETATION OF MALAYSIA, 



principal of wliicli only can be enumerated. Bceckia frutescens, L. 

 (Ujang atap and U. ratab, Malay) extends from Hong Kong and 

 south China over the Philippines and Malaysia. It is a glabrous, 

 heath-like shrub, with twiggy branches, minute linear subulate 

 leaves, and small axillary solitary flowers. The Malays use this 

 plant for many purposes, but more medicinally than as an escu- 

 lent. It is considered an insecticide. " Castae Battanae virgines 

 tanquam medicamento abortivo utuntur^^ (Junghuhn). 



The Eugenicn or Kose-apples, four in number {Jamhosa domes- 

 tical Rumph., J. alba, Rumph., J. aqucea, Rumph., and X vulgaris^ 

 DC, named respectively by the Malays Jambu-bol, J. puti or merah 

 and J. ayer-mawer), are fruits well known throughout Malay- 

 sia, but little esteemed, for they have scarcely any flavour or juice : 

 the flowers, however, are handsome. Forty-three species are 

 enumerated by Filet, so it is one of the best represented genera in 

 the region. Syzygiutn jambolanum or Juat of Sunda, and Buali- 

 jamblang, Malay; Malaruat, Tagalo; Lumboi, Tagalo and Visayan, 

 is another small tasteless fruit much resembling an olive in appear- 

 ance. It grows extensively in the western groups of the Philip- 

 pines, and is the only food of the natives when excessive rains and 

 storms drive them to the mountains. Twenty other species are 

 enumerated by Filet. Three species of Pimenta or Allspices 

 ( Pimenta vidgaris, Lind., P. officinalis, Lind., and P. «cr«s, Wight) 

 may be mentioned. Though occupying a doubtful position as 

 fruits, they are valuable cultivated plants in all Malaysia. The 

 Guava {Psidium guayava^ L., Jambu biji or utan, Malay) is too 

 well known to require particularising. It must have been intro- 

 duced from South America into Malaysia very soon after the 

 entry of Europeans into these countries, for it has become per- 

 fectly naturalised. Three species or varieties are enumerated by 

 Rumphius, and therefore are of ancient cultivation. Rhodomyrtus 

 tonientosa, DC. (Harendong, Malay) is abundant and widely spread 

 over southern India, Ceylon, Malaysia and northwards to China 

 and Japan ; but probably in the latter an escape from cultivation. 

 The berries are eaten and much used as a preserve, having an 

 agreeable flavour. It has already been referred to for the beauty 



I 



