A C II 



A C II 



ACHRAS, a genus coniprehendingthoSapota 

 Tree or Mamnutf Sapota, an exotic, which in its 

 native situation rises lo the hciglil ancl size of a 

 large tree; but when cultivated in the stove in 

 tills chniate seldom exceeds that ot" a shrub. 



It belongs to the class and order Hixandria 

 ^Iviingyiihi, and ranks in the natural order of 



DllfllUSCC. 



The characters are: that the calyx is a perian- 

 thiuni, consisting of six ovate, concave, erect 

 leaflets, the outer broader and shorter, and the 

 inner coloured : the corolla is one-petalled, ovate, 

 of the same height with the calyx, with the 

 border cut into six subovatc flat divisions, and 

 scales at the jaws of the corolla, equal in length 

 to the divisions, narrower, spreading, and eniar- 

 ginate : the stamina have six short awl-shaped 

 Tilamcnts at the jaws of the corolla, alternate 

 with the divisions, bent inwards: the antherx 

 are sharp : the pistillum has a roundish, flatted 

 germen : the style is aw 1-shaped, and longer than 

 the corolla ; and the stigma is obtuse : the peri- 

 carpium is a globose, very succulent pomum 

 w ith twelve cells : the seeds are solitary, ovate, 

 Alining, scarred on one side, and pointed at the 

 base. 



There are several species ; but those cultivated 

 in the stove in this countr)' are, 1. yl. Sripo/a, 

 Common Sapota Tree j 2. A. Mamosa, Mam- 

 mce Sapota. 



T-Jie lirst is a tall tree without branches to a 

 considerable height; spreading out in the head 

 with nunieriius small branches growing rather 

 thick and close together : the bark is of a 

 darkish gray colour, thick, rouch, and chopped. 

 The leaves are large, oblong, and ovate. The fruit 

 is round and smooth, bigger than that of the 

 quince; the rind thick, gray, becoming yellow 

 and tough when ripe: the flesh is also of a yel- 

 lowish colour, having two large rough flat stones 

 in the middle : the taste and smell are verv fine. 



The second is likewise a tall straight-growing 

 tree w itii ash-coloured bark, the branches coming 

 oft" on everv side so as to constitute a rcsrular 

 head : the leaves are spear-shaped, nearly a foot 

 in length, having often the breadth of tlirceinches 

 in the middle: the flowers are cream-coloured, 

 and succeeded by large oval or top-shaped fruit, 

 with a brownish cuticle or covering, bene;uli 

 w hich is a thickish pulp of a russet colour and 

 luscious taste, frequently called, from its resem- 

 blance to the quince. Natural Marmalade. This 

 tree is often cultivated in the gardens in manv of 

 the \\'est-India i>lands for the sake of the fruit. 



Citltiire. — These trees are not capable of being 

 preserved in this climate imless attended to 

 with great care, and kept in tlie warmest and 

 best regulated stoves. Each of these species 

 may be propagated by planting the stones: but 



as they do not keep well when taken out of the 

 fruit, this should be done in their native situ- 

 ations as soon as they are removed, in tubs ot 

 good mold placed so as lo have the advantage 

 of the morning sun, the earth being kept con- 

 stantly well watered. On the plants appearing 

 tlicv should be well protected trom the attacks 

 of insects, and from being injured by weeds. 

 W hen about a foot in height they may be sent to 

 thiscountr\- in the early part of the summer, in 

 order that they mav make good root before the 

 winter sets in. A little water should be occa- 

 sionally given them in their passage while in a 

 hot climate ; but as tlicv advance towards a cold 

 one this should be applied more sparingly, care, 

 being taken to guard them well from being 

 dcsiioycd bv the salt water. On their arrival they 

 should be carefullv removed from the tubs, w ith 

 a little of the mold about their roots, and placed 

 in i)ots of fresh earth, in order to lie plunged in 

 moderate bark hot-beds, shading the glasses 

 when the weather is hot with mats until they 

 have taken new root, not giving them too much 

 water at first, particularly if the earth they came 

 in be moist, as too much water injures the plants 

 before thev are w ell rooted ; but afterw ards they 

 should be often refreshed with water, especially 

 in hot weather. And they should have the air 

 freelv admitted to them, in order to prevent the 

 attacks of insects upon them. When insects 

 seize them thev should be carefully removed bv 

 means of a sponge, otherwise the plants w ill be 

 greatly injured in their growth. 



During the w inter season they are to be planted 

 in the warmest parts of the stove, and in very 

 cold weather have but little water given them, 

 though occasionally refreshed with it w hen the 

 earth is become dry. When thev retain their 

 leaves during this season, a larger proportion of 

 water will, however, be necessary than where the 

 contrary is the case. As the plants advance in 

 size they are to be removed into larger pots ; but 

 care should be taken not to overpot them, as by 

 that means they are veiy liable to be dcstroved. 



Plants of this kind have but little merit, ex- 

 cept for the varictv which thev aftbrd, as it is 

 necessary to keep them constantly in the heat of 

 the stove. 



ACHYRANTHES, a genus the plants of 

 w hich are niostlv herbaceous, somewhat shrubbv, 

 perennials of the tender exotic kir.d. 



It belongs to the class and onli r Pc/iftiiulria 

 Monogijuia, and ranks in the natural order of 

 Aiitfiraiithi. 



The characters of which are: that the calyx 

 consists of an outer perianthium, that is three- 

 leaved, lanceolate, acute, perinaner t ; and of .in* 

 inner one that is tive-leaved and perniaiieniw 

 it has no corolla: the ncctarium hat- five valves 

 (J 



