236 GARDEN PLANTS. PART 11. 



especially so when in full blossom, with the crowded clusters of 

 its small pale rose-coloured ribes-like flowers. Dr. Bruce states 

 that its leaves are sensitive, and even its branches. 



The fruit is remarkably handsome, of the size of a Lemon, 

 deeply ribbed or winged ; when perfectly ripe semi-transparent 

 and of a fine rich amber colour. Previous to becoming quite 

 ripe it possesses a flavour somewhat between that of Sorrel and 

 a green Gooseberry. When well ripened it has a very strong 

 and agreeable scent, as nearly as possible like that of the Quince, 

 as well as a very fine and peculiar flavour. It has, however, 

 even then a degree of acidity which renders it hardly fit to be 

 eaten raw. It does not bear cooking well, as it then becomes 

 tough and horny ; but when the tough part of the fruit is removed, 

 the pulp affords a very delicious jelly. The fruit ripens towards 

 the end of September, at which time the tree comes again into 

 full blossom, and produces a second crop of fruit in January. 



It is propagated from seed. 



Cheenee Kumrunga. 



A variety of the above ; bears a fruit smaller by about half, 

 when ripe of a deep-green colour, and not nearly so handsome ; 

 without the acidity of the ordinary kind, but also entirely 

 without its fine flavour. This is always propagated by grafting 

 upon stocks of the other. 



Averrhoa Bilimbi, 



BLIMBING CUCUMBER TREE. 



JBilimbee. 



A small tree, native of Moluccas ; common in the Deccan, but 

 not often met with in Bengal. It has rather a stout trunk, and 

 grows to about thirty feet in height. It comes into blossom 

 about the middle of February, with pretty ribes-like bunches of 

 flowers, and continues to blossom and bear fruit till the cold 

 Weather. 



The fruit is of the form and size of a Gherkin, with a smooth, 

 thin, pale-green, translucent rind, like that of the White Grape. 



When ripe it is as soft as butter, and has somewhat of the 

 flavour of an unripe Gooseberry, too acid to be eaten, except 

 when cooked or pickled. When laid by a short time it acquires 



