

VARIETIES OF SECONDARY IMPORTANCE. 75 



than the white inner portion; seed about three-fifths as long as the 

 fruit, rather slender. (Fig. 17.) The stalks and branches of the 

 fruit clusters are rich orange colored. 



This variety appears to be confined to the Jerid, and to be by no 

 means common there. It is one of the handsomest of the dry dates, 

 and one of the most attractive when preserved, keeping perfectly its 

 shape and its beautiful warm, reddish brown color. Unlike most of 

 the dry dates, in this variety the comparatively soft and dark part 

 of the flesh is thicker than the firm, white 

 core. It has an agreeable, wholesome 

 flavor, and can be eaten in quantity with- 

 out cloying It matures in October. Of 

 the Thaby variety, fifteen offshoots were 

 imported. 



LEMSY (p. 99). Fruit 1J to If inches 

 long, about one-half as wide, elliptical in 

 outline, not conspicuously narrowed to the FIG. i7.-outiines of Thaby seed 

 apex, often slightly curved, dull purplish 



maroon when ripe; the flesh 1 to 2 lines thick, becoming very firm 

 mcl dry ; the seed about two-thirds as long as the fruit, generally one- 

 third as wide as long. (Fig. 18.) The branches of the fruit clusters 

 are orange colored. 



This variety is said to be known in the Nefzaoua as Halooa Hamra. 

 It is common at Gabes and in the Nefzaoua, but is apparently want- 

 ing in the Jerid. It is a small, thin-fleshed, dry date, sometimes pre- 

 served, but usually eaten fresh and even 

 <"***v before it is perfectly ripe, as the flesh soon 

 ^S becomes dry and hard. It is deliciously 



sweet and has a fine flavor, tasting some- 

 what like a chestnut. At Gabes, where it 

 is regarded as a great delicacy, it is said to 

 mature at the end of August, at the same 

 time as Ammary (see p. 87). Of Lemsy 



FIG. 18.-0utlines of Lemsy seed two offshoots were imported. 



and fruit. (Natural size.) _ T / \ A i n i 



HALOOA BAYDA (p. 99). Also spelled 



" Halouaia," which designates the palm, " Halooa " referring to the 

 fruit itself. The name means " white sweetmeat." Fruit 1J to \\ 

 inches long, about one-half wide, elliptical in outline, not con- 

 spicuously narrowed at the apex, widest near the middle, dull pur- 

 plish bay when ripe ; the flesh 1 to 1 J lines thick, becoming very firm 

 and dry; the seed about seven-tenths as long as the fruit and one- 

 third to two-fifths as wide as long. (Fig. 19.) The branches of the 

 fruit clusters are pale orange. 



92 



