142 DICTIONAEY OF POPULAR NAMES CREA3I 



tinted with pink ; its fruit is a follicle full of silky hairs, and 

 therefore does not agree with the description of the true Cream- 

 fruit, which is said to be a lofty tree growing abundantly on the 

 island of Plantains ; the fruit when wounded yields a quantity 

 of fine white juice resembling the best milk, with which the 

 negroes allay their thirst. 



Cream of Tartar Tree (Adansonia Gregorii). (See Baobab.) 



Creasote Shrub, the common name for Larrecc mexicana, a 

 shrub of the Bean Caper family (Zygophyllacese). Very abundant 

 in some parts of Mexico, forming a dense scrub, particularly on 

 the Colorado desert. It grows on the most sterile sandy soil. 

 Its strong creasote odour renders it disagreeable to travellers, as 

 also to animals. It is unfit for firewood, as it can scarcely be 

 made to burn, its only apparent use being to fix the desert 

 sands. The resinous exudation that is found upon the branches 

 has, however, recently been proposed as a substitute for lac dye. 



Cress, Garden (Lepidium sativum), a weedy annual of the 

 Cabbage family (Cruciferae), supposed to be a native of Persia. 

 It was in use in this country more than 300 years ago ; it is in 

 general cultivation along with mustard, both being used in 

 their young state as salad. 



Cress, Indian, the garden name for Tro2:)ccolum minus and 

 T. majus, annual plants of the Indian Cress family (Tropaeo- 

 lacese). They are well-known showy garden annuals, varying 

 in the colours of their flowers ; the fruits are pickled and known 

 by the name of Nasturtium Pickles. They possess the flavour 

 of the common cress, and are used as a substitute for capers. 

 Their flowers and leaves are used as salad. 



Cress, Water {Nasturtium officinale), a floating perennial 

 of the Cabbage family (Cruciferse), common in rivers and brooks 

 in tliis country, and cultivated in the neighbourhood of all large 

 cities, being in general use as a salad cress. In London the 

 cry of the Water-cress seller is one of ancient date. The plant 

 is considered a good antiscorbutic. It has become naturalised 

 in New Zealand, and grows so rapidly and strong as to choke 

 up rivers. 



