68 THE VANILLA. SHERBET. 



of the Caspian Sea.* The Germans cultivate them chiefly 

 for the oil which their nuts afford. 



.MRS. c. 



With us they flourish mostly in Surrey, which county 

 almost entirely supplies the London market with this fruit. 

 But here is also a plant, the perfume of which you are well 

 acquainted with, the Vanilla aromatica, a creeping parasitical 

 plant, which fixes its roots in the trunks of trees in tropical 

 climates. You see, I keep mine in cocoa-nut shells filled 

 with moss, which answers the same purpose. It does not 

 produce fruit in this cpuntry; but I have in the house one of 

 its long, cylindrical, fleshy pods, which is so much valued 

 for its delicate and delicious aroma, and with which liqueurs, 

 ices, &c., are so often flavored. 



Vanilla Aromatica. 

 ESTHER. 



I have read that the sherbet of the Turks is prepared from 

 the flowers of the violet, f 



MRS. C. 



Yes; that which is most esteemed, and which is drunk by 

 the Grand Seignor himself, is made of violets and sugar. 



* Voyage dans 1 'Empire de Flore. 



t Hasselquist and Tavernier. " The violet sherbets were hastily 

 handed round." MOORE. 



