52 Gardening in Egypt. 



ripe and exposes a mass of red pulp, in which numerous 

 seeds are embedded. The pulp, which is of a sweet 

 sickly flavour, is sometimes eaten by the natives. It 

 is also bottled in olive oil, and after being exposed 

 to the sun, it is used for healing cuts and wounds, 

 with, it is said, excellent results. 



Lagenaria vulgaris (The Bottle Gourd) and Luffa 

 cylindrica (The Luffa), which are used as flesh sponges, 

 are also cultivated from seed, in the same manner as 

 the former plant, and are usually trained over summer- 

 houses or trellis-work, that the large pendant fruits 

 may be exposed. 



Periploca laevigata. A plant of the same family 

 as the Cryptostegia (Asclepiadacece). It has lanceolate 

 leaves, and clusters of inconspicuous, star-shaped 

 flowers, bearing two long finger-shaped seeds joined 

 together. This plant is often found growing in the 

 gardens owned by Greeks. 



Quisqualis indica. An Indian plant of medicinal 

 properties, requiring strong rails or trellis work for 

 its support. It bears during the summer months, 

 profuse clusters of fragrant white flowers of a jasmine- 

 like form, which turn the following day to a deep 

 red. This mixture of the two different coloured 

 flowers gives the plant a very singular appearance. 

 Propagated by layers and cuttings. 



Rhyncospermum jasminoides. Native of China. A 

 charming plant, with slender stems, growing to the 

 height of about six to eight feet, bearing in April 

 masses of very fragrant pure white flowers, which often 

 clothe the entire plant with blossom. Next to the 

 Antigonon leptopus it is probably one of the best of 

 our small flowering climbers. 



Stephanotis floribunda. Native of Madagascar. A 

 familiar plant in our hot-houses in England. Here 

 in Egypt, with a continual sunshine, it is one of 

 the handsomest climbing plants. Its clusters of 

 pure white flowers fill the gardens with perfume in 



