278 l.XTKAC IS FROM 



87- PsiDIUJVX PYRIFERUM, L. GlldVCl Bltsh. 



The guava tree or bush grows spontaneously, especially 

 about settlements. The trunks of the oldest trees are sel- 

 dom more than eight inches in diameter, so that although the 

 wood is hard, it can be of little use to the carpenter. On the 

 outside the bark is smooth and white, on the inside red and 

 astringent ; hence it is often made into decoctions to stop 

 watery pui'gings, as also to tan leather. 



The blossoms are white, and have very little smell. The fruit 

 is, when ripe, round, yellow, and of the size of a golden pippin, 

 containing a red or yellow pulp, with many hard seeds. This 

 pulp tastes pleasant enough, but often contains worms. 



An excellent marmalade is made of the fruit. 



88. Psidium Wrightii, * Herb. Lamb. — Mountain Guava. 



This is a large, tall, and straight tree, very frequent in 

 woodlands. The trunk is smooth and white. The inner 

 bark is red, and tastes astringent. The leaves are smooth, 

 shining, and of a light-green colour. The flowers are small- 

 er than those of the guava bush. The fruit is rather less, 

 falls off green from the trees, is of the same figure, smells 

 agreeably, and by some is imagined to be more delicate. 



Mountain guava trees make excellent inside timber for 

 houses, but it does not last long when exposed to the weather. 



POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



89. Achras Sapota, L. — Naseberry Tree. 

 This middle-sized tree seems to be a native of the West 

 Indies. The bark is furrowed lengthways, and cracked acros, 



* By a communication from Mr David Don, it appears that this is 

 regarded as a new species of Psidium, and is entered in the Lambertian 

 Herbarium under the name here given. 



