118 NAT. ORDER. MYRTACE^. 



When there is only one seed it is about the size of a marble, sub- 

 globose, but a little flattened on one side. When there are two or 

 three, they are irregularly flattened by compression, and smaller; 

 one, however, being always the largest ; the testa brown, crustaceous, 

 easily shelling off; cotijlcdons from two to four, or even five to six, 

 usually two or three, large, bright green, punctate, of very irregular, 

 u;icqual shape and size ; tlie external surface rounded, inner angu- 

 lar. 



The Rose A])ple, a native of the East Indies, is one of the most 

 common garden trees of Maderia ; but there is scarcely another that 

 combines so eminently the beauties of flower, fruit, and foliage. The 

 delicate white tassal-like bunches of flowers, contrasting with the 

 thick, dark foliage, enliven the trees from February to July or August, 

 when the fruit is principally in season. The fullest bloom, however, 

 is in March or April, and just after this the trees are beautifully 

 enriched by the fine, cinnamon-colored or reddish young leaves or 

 shoots. Nothing can exceed the loveliness and delicate appearance 

 of tile fruit — its rich clusters half hidden by the dark, thick tufts of 

 foliage which clothe the outer branches. But though one or two 

 may be eaten with some relish, the over-powering perfume and taste 

 of rose-water, together with the want of juice or dryness, renders it 

 generally unpalatable ; and it is entirely excluded, except to satisfy 

 occasional curiosity, from the table or desert. It is produced in 

 great abundance and profusion, but used for no other purpose than 

 sometimes to feed the pigs which eat it greedily. 



This tree, by its thick, evergreen foliage, is admirably adapted for 

 a screen to buildings, or for shelter. It is also of rapid growth, and 

 extremely tractable, bearing lopping well, or heading down to any 

 height, and produces its flowers at all ages or sizes, whether as a 

 tree or a bush. The name is from the Indian lainboo, or Schamber. 



Jamhosasamarangcnsis. Samarang Rose Apple. This tree grows 

 from twenty to twenty-five feet in height ; racemes loose, terminal, 

 or axillary, shorter than the leaves ; branches usually throe-flow- 



