No. 133.] 419 



drink in sickness, before it is perfectly ripe. When it reaches 

 that stage, a dose of it is exceedingly unpleasant. 



The S'.rrowful Tree, near Bombay. There is a singular vegeta- 

 ble known as the sorrowful tree, so calkd because it only flour- 

 ishes in the night. At sunset no flower is to be seen, and yet, 

 half an hour after, it is full of them. They smell sweet, but the 

 sun no sooner begins to shine than some of them fall ofi" and others 

 close up, and thus it continues flowering in the night all the year. 



The Cow Jree. — This is a native of Venezuela, South America. 

 Baron Von Huoaboldt thus describes it : On the bare flank of a 

 rock, grows a tree with dry and leathery leaves ; its large woody 

 roots can scarcely penetrate into the stony soil. For several 

 months in the year, not a single shower moistens its foliage. Its 

 bratiches appeal- dead and dried, yet as soon as the trunk is 

 pierced, there flows from it a sweet and nourishing milk. It is at 

 sunrise that this vegetable fountain is most abundant. The na- 

 tives are then to be seen hastening from all quarters, furnished 

 with large bowls to receive the milk, which grows yellow and 

 thickens at the surface. Some drain their bowls under the tree, 

 while others carry home the milk to their children. It is obtain- 

 ed by making incisions in the trunk. 



The Bread Fndt Tree. — This tree is found on the islands of the 

 Pacific Ocean. The trunk rises to the height of from thirty to 

 forty feet, and attains the size of a man's body. The fruit grows 

 about the size of a child's head. When used for food, it is gather- 

 ed before it is fully ripe, and baked among ashes, when it becomes 

 a wholesome bread, and in taste somewhat resembles fresh wheat 

 bread. This tree supplies the natives with bread, timber for their 

 houses and canoes. The gum which exudes from it serves as 

 pitch for the vessels, and from the fibres of the inner bark a cloth 

 is made to cover their persons. 



The Upas Tree. — For ages it was believed that a tree existed in 

 the East Indies, which shed a poisonous and deadly influence 

 upon all animals that reposed under its branches; and that so 

 fatal were its effects, that birds attempting to fly near it fell to the 

 ground and perished. For a long time it was supposed that such 



