CURIOUS TREES 181 



agreeable water. These leaves are incidentally very 

 beautiful. They grow on opposite sides of the stem 

 to form the ribs of a perfect natural fan. The tree 

 has a decidedly economic use aside from its func- 

 tions as a water reservoir. The stalks make excel- 

 lent walls for houses and the leaves serve as first- 

 class thatch. 



Travellers in China often remark upon the bril- 

 liant and lustrous paint which universally adorns 

 the river junks. The basis of this paint is the prod- 

 uct of the Chinese wood-oil tree. The oil is pressed 

 out of the green fruit when it is about the size of 

 an apple. A considerable amount is exported to 

 Europe and America. 



The lacquer- tree (Rhus vernicifera) manufac- 

 tures an acrid, poisonous juice from which lacquer 

 is made. The industry has been carried on in Japan 

 for 1200 years. 



The life-tree hails from Jamaica. So fond of 

 existence is this plant that its leaves will continue 

 to grow after having been broken from the stem. 

 It is said that fire alone is capable of destroying 

 the tree's term on earth. 



In western India is a tree that blossoms only in 

 the dark. For some reason, possibly because, as 

 ordinarily seen, it is of plain and desolate mien, it 

 is called the sorrowful tree. Every evening in the 



