CHAP. III. EDIBLE NUTS. 279 



seed begins to send a tap-root deep down into the earth, thus 

 rendering the plant difficult to transplant without injury. It is 

 therefore best to select the spot where each tree is designed to 

 remain permanently, and after having prepared the soil, to sow 

 three or four kernels, and if more than one germinate, to destroy 

 all but one. 



EPIGYNOUS EXOGENS. 



COMBEETACE^]. 



Terminalia Catappa. 



INDIAN ALMOND. 



Desee Badam. 



A large forest-tree, native of India, of handsome stately 

 growth, with long branches spreading horizontally, and clothed 

 with large, noble, dark-green polished foliage ; produces a nut 

 of a fine filbert-like flavour, with a crispness like that of a fresh 

 Walnut: beyond comparison the most delicious of any kind 

 the country affords. The kernel resembles a small fold of 

 white paper, and is contained in a large green husk of the size 

 and shape of the shell of an Almond, of remarkable toughness. 

 The kernels, when extracted, are generally put on the table in 

 a plate of water. 



It blossoms and bears its crop twice in the year. In the 

 month of May it bears a crop, and at the same time comes into 

 blossom with a profusion of small white flowers, closely crowded 

 together upon long spikes, resembling somewhat those of 

 Buddlea Neemda. The second crop comes into season at the 

 beginning of the cold months. 



HALORAGACE.E. 

 Trapa bicornis. 



WATER CALTEOPS WATER CHESTNUT. 



Singhdra Panee-phul. 



A common aquatic plant, native of the tanks in Bengal, and 

 much cultivated in many parts of India for the nuts it bears. 



