MUSTARD-TREE OF SCRIPTURE. 405 



spyros kaki affords an edible plum-like fruit, called in Japan 

 keg-fig. D. Virginians, the persemmon, has an austere fruit, 

 becoming sweet as it ripens, and more especially after frost. 



Sapotacece, Sapodilla order. Achras sapota gives the 

 edible sapodilla-plum ; A. mammosa, the fruit called marma- 

 lade. Bassia butyracea has an oily fruit, affording a kind of 

 butter in Nepal. Another species affords the Shea or Galam 

 butter of Mungo Park. Bassia latifolia, the mahoua, yields 

 flowers used as food and for the distillation of spirits. From a 

 single tree 200 Ib. to 400 Ib. of flowers are collected. B. longi- 

 folia affords an oil fit for lamps. ChrysophyUum cainito is the 

 star-apple of intertropical climates ; other species supply fruit 

 for dessert. Mimusops elengi affords an excellent edible 

 fruit ; other species have edible fruit. 



Myrsinacece, Myrsine order. Theophrasta Jussicei supplies 

 flour for bread in St Domingo. The fruit of Myrsine Afri- 

 cana is mixed with barley for the food of asses in Abyssinia. 



Oleacece, Olive order. Olea Europcea, from the drupa- 

 ceous fruit of which is expressed olive-oil. The fruit of the 

 olive belongs to the dessert. A sweet variety is known in 

 some southern countries. The marc, or residue after the ex- 

 pression of oils of various degrees of purity, seems finally to 

 become valueless. Oleafragrans in China is said to be em- 

 ployed both to flavour and adulterate tea. 



Salvadoracece, Salvadora order. The Salvadora Persica 

 seems to be the mustard-tree of Scripture. Its fruit tastes 

 like garden-cress. 8. Indica has edible fruit. 



Asclepiadacece, Milk- weed order. Gymnema lactiferum 

 is the milk-yielding tree called cow-plant in Ceylon. 



Apocynacece, Dogbane order. Roupellia grata produces 

 what is called cream-fruit in Sierra Leone. Taberncemontana 

 utilis is the cow-tree of Demerara, the milky juice of which is 

 nutritious. 



