268 GAKDEN PLANTS. PART II. 



CINCHONACE.E. 

 Vangueria edulis. 



VGA VANGA. 



A small tree, covered with formidable thorns ; native of Mada- 

 gascar ; produces what is said to be a good dessert fruit, eaten 

 by the natives of Madagascar and the Mauritius. Plants have 

 been in existence in the Calcutta Botanical Gardens for a great 

 many years past, which seem in Dr. Yoigt's time not to have 

 blossomed, but now bear fruit annually, about May. Of the 

 merits of the fruit produced here I cannot speak from personal 

 knowledge, not having tasted it. It has a rather large stone in 

 its centre, by the sowing of which the tree may be propagated. 



CAPKIFOLTACE.E. 



Sambucus nigra. 



ELDEK. 



The Elder-tree I have never met with in India. Dr. Voigt 

 states that it was to be found in the Calcutta Botanical Gardens 

 in 1814, and had been there fifteen years without having flowered. 

 This may perhaps be taken as satisfactory assurance that in 

 Lower Bengal, at least, its cultivation is not likely to be attended 

 with success. ~No plants are in existence at present in the 

 Botanical Gardens, nor can I find from those engaged there that 

 they remember it to have been there during their time, a period 

 of more than twenty years. 



