CHAP. III. EDIBLE NUTS. 277 



which are said to be a general substitute for Almonds, and are 

 eaten roasted with milk. Trees are to be met with in the 

 Calcutta Botanical Gardens, but they are not productive. 



PEKIGYNOUS EXOGENS. 



THYMELACE^E. 

 Inocarpus edulis. 



OTAHEITE CHESTNUT. 



A large tree, native of the Society and Friendly Islands, pro- 

 ducing fruit the kernels of which, Dr. Voigt remarks, are edible, 

 but by no means pleasant to the taste. The tree exists in the 

 Calcutta Botanical Gardens, where it yields nothing, however, 

 but a dry, uneatable seed. 



FABACE.E. 

 Arachis hypogaea. 



EAKTH NUT MANILLA NUT UNDERGROUND KIDNEY-BEAN. 



Cheenee Baddm Mom pliulee. 



An annual, native of South America, but naturalised in all 

 parts of India, well known for its curious property of thrusting 

 its seed-pods, as soon as formed, beneath the earth, to grow and 

 ripen there. It flowers in June, and the crop is ready for 

 digging up in January. The legumes contain two or three ir- 

 regularly f6rmed beans of nut-like flavour, somewhat resembling 

 the Pistachio, but far inferior. They are eaten raw, but are 

 much better for being roasted. 



When the crop is dug up, the old plants should be destroyed, 

 and a fresh piece of ground chosen for sowing the seed for crop 

 of the succeeding season. The habit of the plant sufficiently in- 

 dicates that it requires a loose light sandy soil. Plants are rather 

 difficult to eradicate from a piece of ground where once grown. 



Castanospermum Australe. 



MORETON-BAY CHESTNUT. 



A small tree, native of Moreton Bay in New Holland ; pro- 

 duces large pods containing two or three round seeds of the size 



