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CASE No. 271. Models and preserved Fruits of Guava 

 55. {Psidium Guajava^ L.). A Bmall tree, prol3ably 

 indigenous to Mexico and other parts of tropical America^ 

 but now cultivated and naturalised in most tropical 

 countries for the sake of the fruits, which are used for 

 dessert. Two distinct varieties are known ; the apple- 

 shaped or Red Guava (var. pomiferum), and the pear- 

 shaped or White Guava (var. pyriferum). 



Guava jelly, prepared from the fruits, is imported into 

 this country from the West Indies. 



On the top shelves of the next compartment are 

 specimens of wood of Common Myrtle {Myrtus 

 communis, L.), a well-known evergreen plant of the 

 Mediterranean region. On the outside of the case is a 

 well-rope formed of the branches of this plant from 

 Cyprus. 



No. 272. Allspice, Pimento, or Jamaica Pepper, 

 the dried, unripe fruits of Pimenta officinalis^ Ldl., a tree 

 common in Jamaica ; from whence large quantities are 

 imported into this country. Pimento is very largely used 

 as a spice, also in medicine for its aromatic and stimulant 

 properties. Oil of Pimento, obtained by distillation from 

 the fruits, is often used for similar purposes as the Oil of 

 Cloves, as well as in perfumery. Sticks of the pimento 

 are imported in very large quantities for walking sticks 

 and umbrella handles. 



From the leaves of an allied species (P. acris, Kostel.), 

 the oil of bay or bay berry is obtained, used in the manu- 

 facture of Bay Rum, employed in the United States as a 

 refreshing perfume in faintness, or to sprinkle about sick 

 rooms, as well as for hair washes. The dried, unripe 

 berries have similar properties to pimento or allspice. 



No. 273. Cloves. The dried, unopened flower-buds 

 of Eugenia caryophyllata, Thunb., a tree originally brought 

 from the Moluccas ; now cultivated for this valuable spice 

 in Amboyna, Malacca, Penang, Mauritius, Zanzibar, 

 Pemba, in the West Indies principally at Grenada, and in 

 other tropical countries. Cloves are collected hy hand or 

 broken from the trees by means of bamboos, cloths being 

 placed beneath the trees to receive them, and simply dried 

 in the sun. They are gathered in the green state, before 



