THE SPLENDID SUN-BIKD. 149 



One part of the year, the gourd, or naras, as it is 

 called, serves as the staple food of the natives. It 

 contains a number of seeds, a little like almonds, 

 and they dry them in the sun and put them by as 

 a reserve. When the fruit fails, they fall back on 

 the seeds, and are preserved from famine. 



This tract of country could not be inhabited but 

 for the naras. Food is scarcely to be obtained, 

 and the natives would perish if they were deprived 

 of this wholesome and agreeable resource. 



But there is still another tribe of plants, too 

 curious to^be passed over. 



To this tribe belongs the fig-marigold, of which 

 we have spoken before, and that is called the 

 Hottentot's fig. 



In all other plants, heat and dryness cause the 

 seed-vessels to split open and yield their contents. 

 But it is not so with the marigold. The burning 

 heat and drought keeps the seed-vessels firmly 

 shut. But when rain comes, and the atmosphere 

 is moist and will allow them to grow, the lid 

 opens, and the seeds are shed just at the time 

 when they are certain to vegetate. 



