182 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. (Vol. XXV. 



rich in humus (decayed vegetable matter). When ready for 

 picking the bolls turn brown and burst open. In a few days the 

 boll husk will have also opened, exposing the soft, dry cotton, 

 which adheres so loosely to the pod that it may be removed by a 

 slight pull. Experiments are now being carried out to decide 

 which districts of Queensland are suitable for the profitable culti- 

 vation of Upland and Sea Island cotton. 



The Arnatto plant, Bixa orellana, L., indigenous to South 

 America, is being experimentally cultivated. Outwardly the 

 fruit greatly resembles that of the castor oil plant, and from its 

 seeds a pigment used for butter-colouring is obtained. The fruit 

 of Artocarpus incisa, L., true Bread Fruit, a plant native of the 

 South Sea Islands, attracts attention by its great size, the slightly 

 globular-shaped fruits being terminal on long peduncles. It is a 

 very nourishing fruit, and may be cooked in a variety of ways, 

 either fried in slices or baked entire, after the manner in which it 

 is roasted by the natives. Many delicious fruits, quite unknown 

 in our State, are cultivated. Custard Apples, of the genus 

 Anonas, such as Sour Sop, Sweet Sop, Bullock's Heart, and 

 Cherimoyer. The Granadilla and Paw-paw, wholesome tropical 

 fruits, belonging to the same natural order, Passifloreae, both 

 do well. The former is a vine, easily grown from seed, and 

 trained on trellis. The seeds of the fruit only are eaten, but the 

 outer pulpy covering is sometimes used in cooking. The fruit of 

 the latter resembles a rock-melon somewhat in shape and flavour, 

 and is produced in the axil of the leaves in thick clusters. 



The Mango, Mangifera indica, L., is the commonest fruit 

 grown in Queensland, fliourishing in all parts of the State, the 

 large glossy leaves varying in shape and colour in the different 

 varieties, ranging from palest cream to the brightest of crimson. 

 It is as hardy as a forest tree, requires but little attention, and 

 bears an abundance of fruit, which exhibits the same peculiarity 

 of varying colour. A particularly delicious fruit known as Rose 

 Apple, Eugenia jamhos, L., is not yet cultivated in Victoria to 

 any extent, but could be grown to advantage even in our 

 mildest parts. Vanilla 'planifolia, belonging to the Orchideas, 

 requires a special host, and must be planted to creep upon a 

 shady tree. From the pods of this plant the well-known vanilla 

 essence is made. Somewhat similar in form of growth is Piper 

 nigrum, black pepper being made from its berries. The gardens 

 abound with plants used in the manufacture of spice. I noted 

 Curcuma longa, L., from the roots of which is made one of the 

 chief ingredients of curry powder. Pime7ita officinalis, Lindley, 

 the berries being used for allspice, and the young shoots are a 

 valuable adjunct to the umbrella trade. Zingiber ojjicinale, 

 Roscoe, the variety which is largely imported into England for 

 making what is known as preserved ginger, the young, succulent 

 roots only being used for candying, the multiplication being 



