TRO 



OR, BOTANICAL DICTIONARY. 



T U.B 



713 



1. Tropeeolum Minus; Small Indian Cress. Leaves pel- 

 tate, subrepand, tnucronate; petals acute. Stem herbaceous, 

 trailing; flowers axillary, ou very long peduncles. There 

 are two varieties of this species, oue with a deep orange- 

 coloured flower inclined to red, and the other with a pale 

 yellow flower. The whole plant has a hot pungent taste, 

 resembling Cresses of various kinds. Native of Peru. Sow 

 the seeds of this, and of the next species, in April, where 

 they are to remain, which should be where their stalks may 

 have support. The varieties with double flowers are conti- 

 nued by cuttings, and are kept under shelter all winter. The 

 first species should be raised on a hot-bed like all other ten- 

 der annuals, if we wish to have it flower early in the summer, 

 continue long in blossom, and produce perfect seeds ; but it 

 will grow readily in the open air in warm sheltered situations. 

 The greater sort may also be brought forward in a hot-bed, if 

 the flowers or fruit are wanted for use. But plants will come 

 up spontaneously from seeds dropped in the autumn ; which 

 is rather extraordinary in a Peruvian plant. 



2. Tropseolum Majus; Great Indian Cress. Leaves pel- 

 tate, repand ; petals obtuse. This has two varieties, like the 

 first species, and a third with double flowers. The flowers, 

 like every other part of the plant, are larger, and make a 

 finer appearance, than those of the preceding; hence it pro- 

 bably occasioned the former to be neglected. The stalks of 

 both will climb six or eight feet high, when they are trained 

 up, and thus the flowers make a good appearance; but when 

 they trail upon the ground, they will spread over the neigh- 

 bouring plants, and become unsightly. The flowers are eaten 

 in salads; and having a warm taste, like the Garden Cress, 

 the plant has acquired the common name of Nasturtium. It 

 is also used for garnishing dishes. The seeds are pickled, 

 and by some are preferred to most pickles for sauce, under 

 the false name of Capers. Linneus informs us, that his 

 daughter observed the flowers of this plant at certain inter- 

 vals to emit sparks spontaneously, which appeared to be elec- 

 trical, and were only visible in the evening. This is also a 

 native of Peru, and is reckoned an annual plant: both may 

 be continued through the winter, if they are kept in pots, and 

 sheltered in a green-house or glass-case, in like manner as 

 the variety with double flowers is preserved. It begins to 

 flower in July, and continues till the approach of winter. 



3. Tropseolum Hybridum ; Bastard Indian Cress. Leaves 

 subpeltate, five-lobed ; lobes obtuse, subrepand ; petals 

 wedge-toothed at the tip. This is suspected to be a mere 

 variety. It can seldom be increased by seeds, but by slips 

 and cuttings. 



4. Tropeeolum Peregrinum ; Fringe- flowered Indian Cress. 

 Leaves subpeltate, five-lobed, palmate, somewhat toothed ; 

 petals laciniated. Root annual. It flowers in September 

 and October. Native of Peru. 



5. Tropeeolutn Pentaphyllum ; Five-leaved Indian Cress. 

 Leaves quinate; leaflets quite entire, acute ; petals shorter 

 than the calix, quite entire, acute. Stem slender, clothed 

 with numerous irregularly scattered leaves, on footstalks 

 an inch long, climbing. Native of Monte Video. 



Trophis; a genus of the class Dioecia, order Tetrandria. 

 GENERIC CHARACTER. Male. Calix: none. Corolla: 

 petals four, obtuse, spreading. Stamina : filamenta four, 

 capillary, longer than the corolla ; antherae of two globular 

 lobes. Female, on a distinct tree. Calix: one-leafed, very 

 small, closely investing the gennen. Corolla : none. 

 Pistil: germen ovate, four-celled; style filiform, short; stig- 

 mas two, awl-shaped, spreading. Pericarp: berry substri- 

 ated, wrinkled, one-celled. Seeds: one to four, subglobular. 

 ESSENTIAL CHARACTER. Male. Calix: none. Corolla: 



four-petalled. Female. Calix: one-leafed. Corolla: none. 



Stigmas: two, awl-shaped. Berry: one to four seeded. 



The species are, 



1. Trophis Americana; The Ramoon Tree. Thornless: 

 leaves oblong, acuminate, with the point blunt, entire, beneath 

 netted, veined, and paler; male flowers in peduncled round- 

 ish aments, an inch long, erect, axillary, subsolitary; flowers 

 approximating, minute, whitish ; female flowers in axillary 

 racemes, two together, longer than the petioles, composed 

 of seven or eight sessile alternate horizontal flowers. It is a 

 tree, seldom exceeding twenty feet high, with nearly upright 

 round even branches. The leaves and twigs make an agree- 

 able wholesome fodder for all sorts of cattle, and are often 

 used as such in dry seasons, in the inland woody parts of 

 Jamaica, where grass is often very scarce. The berries, or 

 drupes, as Swartz calls them, are generally about the size of 

 large grapes, and of an agreeable pleasant flavour. Native 

 of the island of Jamaica, and most parts of the West Indies, 

 in dry exposed situations. 



2. Trophis Laurifolia. Without thorns : leaves elliptic- 

 oblong-, acute at each end, smooth, entire; berry two-horned, 

 and two or four seeded. A tree, with thick roundish branches. 

 Native of Quito and New Grenada. 



3. Trophis Aspera. Without thorns : leaves obovate, 

 unequally serrated, very rough on both sides; petals four. 

 Native of Tranquebar, in woods and thickets. 



4. Trophis Spinosa. Branches thorny; leaves elliptical, 

 entire, smooth. The wood is used to dye yellow, and, with 

 the addition of indigo, green. Native of Java. 



Truffles. See Tuber. 



Trumpet Flower. See Bignonia. 



Trumpet Honeysuckle. See Lonicera. 



Tuber; a genus of the class Cryptogamia, order Fungi. 

 ESSENTIAL CHARACTER. Roundish, fleshy, solid, closed ; 



its substance variegated with veins bearing seeds. The 



species are, 



1. Tuber Cibarium ; Common Truffle. Blackish, rough 

 with prominent warts. It is about the size of a Walnut in 

 its outer coat, the surface irregularly tumid, and harsh to the 

 touch, being covered with innumerable sharp warts. The 

 inner substance is grayish, or pale brown, with numerous 

 curved branching veins, lodging the minute seeds. No roots 

 have been discovered. There are several varieties, differing 

 in colour. Dogs are taught to find this fungus by the smell, 

 and to scratch it out of the earth. It is brought to table 

 either simply boiled, o.r stewed in various forms. The French 

 and Italians introduce it into made dishes, sauces, and pies. 

 It is reported to possess a stimulating quality, which renders 

 it more popular than its flavour, which is not very fine. His 

 found underground, just below the surface, in light dry soils, 

 in Europe, the East Indies, and Japan. 



2. Tuber Moschata; Musky Trujfie. Blackish and smooth. 

 This resembles the preceding in general form and size; but 

 it differs in having a smooth surface, soft internal substance, 

 and musky scent. The dried coat becomes wrinkled. 

 Native of France. 



3. Tuber Griseurn; Gray Truffle. Roundish, irregular, 

 smooth, soft, grayish ash-coloured. This is about the size of 

 the first and second species, but more irregularly shaped; of 

 a soapy texture and light colour, with a strong scent of Garlic. 

 Native of Piedmont, in light, moderately moist soils. 



4. Tuber Album ; White Truffle. Light reddish-brown, 

 roundish, half above ground, with rusty-coloured veiiis. The 

 outside smooth, turning yellow in drying; internal substance 

 like rhubarb, with a disagreeable flavour. This species is 

 found in woods, in England, France, and in Greece. 



