156 TROPICAL FRUITS 



C. Limonum. Lemon (See under Sub-tropical fruits). 



C. medica. (See under Sub-tropical fruits). 



Clausena Wampi,=Cookia punctata (Rutaceae). Wanipee 

 "Rata-karapincha" S. A small ornamental and aromatic tree, native 

 of China. Its pale yellow berries have a strong aromatic acid taste 

 and are sometimes made into preserves, being also used, as well as 

 the fragrant leaves, for flavouring meat curries, etc. ; but they cannot 

 be considered a fruit for dessert. The tree is suited to humid 

 districts at medium elevations, and is propagated by seeds. 



Cucumis Melo (Cucurbitacece). Musk Melon ; li Pitti-kekiri," 

 S. A round or oval fruit, about 4 to 6 inches in diameter, or 7 to 

 8 in. long by 3 in. in diameter, produced by a creeping annual 

 gourd with large angular leaves. In its natural state the fruit has a 

 strong musk-deer odour, the interior being of a somewhat flowery 

 consistency. The best varieties, as grown in hot-houses in temper- 

 ate countries, are very highly prized on account of their luscious 

 flavour. The plant is suited to a hot dry atmosphere and rich 

 porous soil. It requires moisture at the root, but the vines are sus- 

 ceptible to a damp atmosphere, and in cultivation the precaution 

 has usually to be taken of forming a collar of earth round the base 

 of the stem, so as to prevent any water lodging there. Musk Melon 

 is never seen grown in the moist low-country of Ceylon, and but 

 seldom in the dry region. FIRMINGER referred to a fine variety in 

 India, called the " Surdah," the fruit of which is " sometimes 

 brought from Cabul to Punjab for the wealthy Natives, who are 

 said to pay as high as Rs. 6/- each for them." The seeds of this 

 variety are distinguished by their very large size. There are many 

 varieties in cultivation, these being divided into u netted " and 

 "smooth-skinned" classes. The flesh in either group may be red, 

 green or white. Propagated by seed, like other gourds. 



Cynometra cauliflora (Leguminosae). Nam-nam. A shrubby 

 much-branched tree with small binate leaves, native of India and 

 Malaya. The fruit is a one-seeded, much wrinkled, thick fleshy 

 pod, rather semi-circular in shape, and produced in large numbers 

 on the trunk near the ground (sometimes on the lowermost portions 

 of the branches), chiefly in May and June. The succulent green, or 

 greenish yellow, shell is about ^ an inch thick, and is of a pleasant, 

 sweet sub-acid taste, not unlike an apple. Whilst, however, the 

 fruit of some trees is very palatable, that of others may be sour and 

 unpleasant, much depending on the variety and degree of culti- 

 vation afforded. The fruit is best for stewing, but is also used for 

 pickling, and the large flat seed yields a medicinal oil. The tree 



