CHAP, II. DESSERT FRUITS. 203 



decidedly the best, though not finer than is frequently met with 

 in private gardens. 



A variety is to be found in some gardens, though rather rare, 

 bearing fruit of a conical form, quite green when ripe, distinct 

 in flavour, and of very sweet taste. 



Don says that when eaten to excess, Lichees are apt to occasion 

 an eruption over the whole body. They are eaten in great 

 quantities in India, but with no deleterious effect that I ever 

 heard of. 



The Chinese suffer the fruit to dry till it becomes black and 

 shrivelled, in which condition it is commonly met with for sale 

 in the London grocers' shops. 



Birds are exceedingly fond of the fruit. The trees must be 

 protected from their ravages by having nets thrown over them 

 some time about the beginning of April. 



The Lichee tree will grow well in all parts of India ; but in 

 the North-West it is liable to be killed by the cold in severe 

 weather. It loves a damp climate and abundance of water, 

 and is said not to yield fruit at any considerable distance high 

 up from Calcutta. 



Colonel Sleeman states that at Lucknow the Lichee cannot 

 be brought to thrive at all. Small plants throve tolerably well 

 at Ferozepore. I had several in the lowermost part of my garden 

 there, which were swamped for more than a week during the 

 heavy rains in August. Most plants under such circumstances 

 would have perished, but these seemed benefited thereby. 



Lichees may be propagated by seed, which it is said will not 

 keep, but must be sown at once ; but the sure way to obtain 

 plants that will produce good fruit is to propagate by gootee 

 about the end of May. The gootee made at that time will be 

 ready for removing and potting off by the commencement of the 

 cold weather ; and may be planted out, where it is finally to 

 remain, in the following Eain season. 



Nephelium longanum. 

 LONGAN. 



Asliphul. 



A tree, native of India, and cultivated in China and Cochin- 

 China. 



