161 



In some parts of the country, great care is taken to preserve the 

 seed for planting the following season, which is done by tread- 

 ing it into the beds of tanks and such places. The fruit is fit 

 to be eaten at or about the close of the rains, 



TRIBDLUS LANUGINOSUS. Zygophyllacece. A common annual 

 with yellow flowers and angular thorny fruit. 



TRICHOSANTHES ANGDINA. CucurUtacece* NAT. CHICHONDA. 

 The Snake Gourd. This vegetable is cultivated by the Natives 

 grown on trellis work, the fruit long and spindle-shaped is used 

 chiefly in curries, &c. 



URANIA SPECIOSA. Musacece. An elegant tree, a native of 

 Madagascar : spreads its leaves out like an open fan, forming a 

 semi-circular head. It has a short solid trunk, with leaves like 

 a plantain ; and in a border, or at the end of a walk, when 

 growing, forms a perfect screen : its peculiar appearance strikes 

 a person immediately when seen for the first time. It bears a 

 small fruit like the drupe of a plantain, which is of a bluish 

 colour. Rox. says " The plant has the property of rendering 

 water or milk, either hot or cold, mucilaginous, without altering 

 the taste, colour, or smell, of the liquid in its former state." 

 Butter-milk and water is often thickened with the juice of this 

 plant, and then sold as an unadulterated article of the richest 

 and best description. Is propagated by seed and suckers. 

 Fifteen feet space should be allowed between each tree. 



URTICA INTERRUPTA. Urticacece. The Nettle, a large annual 

 plant, grows during the rains. The whole plant is covered 

 with stinging hairs, like the common nettle. It grows wild : 

 there are several indigenous species. 



UVARIA ODORATA. Anonacece. Sweet Scented Uvaria. A 

 small tree, flowers white, delightfully fragrant, introduced from 

 China. 



UVARIA TOMENTOSA. A tree, the fruit of which, is about 

 the size of a Nutmeg ; flowers of purple colour, and hang in 

 clusters. 



VATERIA INDICA. Dipterocarpacece. CAN. PYNEE. A large 

 tree, with fragrant flowers in terminal panicles ; said to yield 

 the resin called Copal. 



21 



