1 8 Gardening in Egypt. 



poft. in circumference. It yields a bark suitable for 

 paper-making, and small trees are sometimes met 

 with in Cairo, where it is grown chiefly for the 

 ornamental character of its flowers and foliage. 



Balanites egyptica. A large tree of a drooping 

 habit, with small, dark foliage, commonly met with 

 at inland places. It yields a quantity of small fruit 

 of a brown colour, known under the name of Egyptian 

 Myrabolans. The seeds, when fermented, are made into 

 an intoxicating drink, called by the negroes " Zachum." 



Bauhinia purpurea. A pretty ornamental flowering 

 tree of Cairo, with large kidney-shaped leaves, which 

 close at night, and masses of purple pea-shaped 

 flowers, which bloom on the whole length of the 

 branches under the leaves, making it a beautiful 

 object in April. The flowers are succeeded by long 

 hanging pods, which remain until the following 

 season. The tree is propagated by seed, but requires 

 a sheltered position to develop, and flower. Other 

 varieties, such as B. variegata, B. reticulata^ B. 

 tomentosa^ and B. aculeata, are also grown. 



Broussonetia papyrifera The Paper Mulberry. 

 A common deciduous tree in Ramleh, with soft, 

 downy leaves, and hairy fruits, nearly globular ; 

 about the size of a plum, scarlet when ripe, and of a 

 sweet insipid taste. The bark furnishes the material 

 known as " Tapa cloth." 



Cordia Myxa. The Monkheyt of the Arabs, who 

 make a birdlime from the small cherry-like fruit. The 

 tree makes a handsome specimen, with its slender 

 hanging branches and large ovate leaves. It is 

 naturalised in the country, and when once established, 

 will grow under very arid conditions. 



Cercis Siliquastrum. Judas Tree, sometimes 

 seen in the gardens of Alexandria and Cairo. It 

 has curious, kidney-shaped leaves and beautiful pink 

 flowers, which, unlike other plants, grow out of the 

 bark of the stem and branches. 



