MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 64! 



(2) For the Higher Elevations, say from 3,500 to 

 6,000 //. 



Tree-tomato (Cyphomandra betacea). A small herba- 

 ceous tree, introduced into Ceylon in 1884, and has 

 become a valuable acquisition for up-country; bears a 

 heavy crop of fruit almost throughout the year, if planted 

 in fairly sheltered situations; it is known in the West 

 Indies as " Vegetable Mercury," owing to the action of 

 the fruit on the liver. 



Cherimoyer (Anona Cherimolid). A small tree, intro- 

 duced into Ceylon in 1884; the fruit is considered to be 

 one of the most delicious known, and resembles a custard- 

 apple in appearance, but is much superior to that in 

 flavour. Deserves to be widely known and cultivated. 

 Season : October to December. 



China Guava (Psidium Cattleyanum). A small smooth- 

 barked tree, producing heavy crops of claret-coloured 

 agreeable fruits, which may be used for dessert or for 

 jams and jellies. 



Persimmon (Diospyros Kaki). A small tree, which 

 bears one of the most noted fruits of China and Japan ; 

 not yet generally established in Ceylon, but has been 

 found to thrive and bear fruit in some hill gardens. 



Passion-fruit or Sweet Cup (Pas si flora edulis). A 

 perennial climber, introduced from Brazil, now growing 

 commonly up-country in a wild state, and cropping 

 abundantly twice a year. The fruits are slightly fragrant, 

 .and contain a pleasant juicy pulp. Usually sold locally 

 at about Re. i per hundred; often sold in Covent 

 Garden Market at a shilling or more per dozen, being 

 imported from the Canary Islands. 



Strawberry (Fragaria vcscd). Grows from 4,000 ft. 

 upwards, and in the dry season produces good crops of 

 fruits, which are of moderate size and flavour. Some- 

 times sold in Nuwara Eliya at 75 cents ( = is.) per pound. 

 The common wild strawberry of England has become 

 quite naturalized in Ceylon, growing in a wild state in 

 the Nuwara Eliya district. 



Cape Gooseberry (Physalis Perumana). A small creep- 

 ing, semi-woody bush, with a berry enclosed in a balloon- 



