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he, a valuable tree. The flowers are white, and the fruit is produced in 

 follicles of several nut-like seeds which are brown and about the size of 

 pigeon's eggs.. These seeds also pass under the name of Goora Nuts. 

 The negroes use them generally, as when chewed they are supposed to 

 allay thirst, ward off hunger, prevent fatigue, and promote digestion. In 

 fact, these seeds are supposed to have stimulating properties similar to 

 those attributed to the "Coco" from South America. The chewing of 

 these seeds is also said to enhance the flavour of anything that may be 

 eaten directly afterwards, and to make even putrid water agreeable. 

 This tree is only suitable for tropical or sub-tropical regions, but would 

 probably prove serviceable in hot interior districts, where it is worthy of 

 a trial. Several other species yield edible seeds, one of the principal 

 being Stercnlia quadrifida, which is indigenous to Northern and Eastern 

 Australia. It bears freely black seeds which have a nutty taste, and is 

 known to aboriginals as the " Calool." Stercnlia Carthaginensis, from 

 Brazil, Sterculia nobilis, from India, and Sterculia wrens, from the same 

 country, are all fine, handsome, evergreen trees that bear palatable 

 Almond-flavoured seeds, and may be planted with advantage in congenial 

 regions. Trees of this family will thrive in any fairly good soil. Pro- 

 pagation is most generally effected by seeds, which should be planted 

 about an inch deep. 



LEMON BERRY. 



This is the vernacular name in California for the fruit of RJms integri- 

 folia, a robust evergreen shrub indigenous to that country and Mexico. 

 The genus Rhus belongs to the Anacardiaceaa, or Cashew Nut, family, 

 and embraces a large number of species. Most commonly the genus is 

 known as " Sumach," and several species yield commercial " tannin " in 

 considerable quantities, while some are remarkable for their strong 

 poisonous properties. The species under notice bears deep red berries 

 that are very sour, and these are encrusted with a white oily substance 

 that is even more acid, which crystalises upon the surface. These berries 

 are used to some extent when fresh, and also after being dried, for 

 making an acid drink in the same way as the Lemon is used, hence the 

 common name. This drink is said to be pleasant and refreshing, and the 

 Mexicans credit the fruit with some medicinal virtues. Rltiis ovata, 

 another Calif ornian species, is known in its native country as the " Sugar 

 Tree." It is an evergreen shrub, but less robust than the " Lemon 

 Berry," and is found growing in desert mountain regions. The berries 

 are also smaller, and though they are similarly covsred with a white 

 substance, they are sweet like sugar, hence the cammon name. The fruit 

 with its coating is said to make a pleasant drink, either when fresh or 

 dried. The coating, when dried, has the consistency of beeswax, and is 

 said to have been formerly gathered by the Indians, and stored as food. 

 These people also eat the fruit of Kkus trilobata, vernacularly known as 

 the " J?quaw Bush," which has a pleasant though rather sharp acid 

 flavour. Plants are readily obtained from seed which should be covered 



