520 JOVRNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1892. 



ihophyllum (Undi) is not so marked, yet its fJower is handsome. Heie is a IVa- 

 erant flower of Fterospermum suherifolium, which, with the flower of its cou- 

 o-enei' Pterospermum acsrifolium, goes under the name of Muehkund. The 

 flower proper is white, but its fragrance is chieflj' confined to its succulent calyx 

 deep brown outsi;le, golden inside, which is longer than the petals, and covers the 

 whole corolla incompletely, splitting into five parts as the flower matures. Its 

 fragrance is lasting, even when the sepals dry; the sepals are much worn by Hindu 

 ladies in their hair. The sepals are covered thickly outside with small brown liairy 

 glands which secrete the fragrant element. It is particularly worthy of the investi- 

 gation of perfume-manufacturers. Hiptage Madablota (Madhu-malati\ a large 

 climbing shrub, throws out large terminal panicles of showy white and 

 yellow flowers with a shade of light crimson. The flowers have a delicate 

 frao-rance. The beautiful rich crimson flowers of Bilimbi {Averrhoa Bilimbi), 

 shooting out in panicles from the main stem direct, are possessed of the smell of 

 honey. Tiie large cymose panicles of the pink and crimson coloured, small flowered 

 blossom of Averrhoa Karambola (Karmar) are not quite so fragrant, yet they are 

 not without the grateful odour of honey. The panicles are very showy. Murray's 

 Exotica, though not a forest plant, is still largely seen in our gardens. Its tufted 

 masses of white flowers are as graceful as they are fragrant; so are the bold deli- 

 cious flowers of the Pomelo ( Citrus decumana ). The Bombay Malis have 

 recently taken to making "eenis (wreathes) of these for the Hindu ladies, by whom 

 they are much prized. These flowers have the delicate odour of the delicious 

 Neroli oil, which is manufactured in Europe and Asia Minor from the flowers of 

 some of the equally odourous representatives of the Citron genus. Garunga 

 jjjjmafa (Kakad) is in flower in our jungles now. Its large spreading panicles, 

 with tiny yellow tubular flowers, have delicate fragrance and attract the attention 

 of the passer-by with their ample inflorescence amidst tender shoots of fresh 

 leaves. 



Among the Meliacece the Nim [Azadiarachta Indica) bears small white flowers 

 on long slender pedicels, which have a mixed smell of honey and bitter 

 almonds. The purple white flowers of Melia sem,pervirens in copious panicles 

 are a garden beauty. They smell strongly of honey, hence the name of the plant. 

 Among the Anacardim the blossom of the Mango ( Mangifera Indica ) is the most 

 fragrant. Its characteristic honey-sweet odour, once noticed, can never be forgot- 

 ten. The flowers are inconspicuous, but, when closely examined, display a delicate 

 purplish tinge. But the beauty of the blossom lies in the huge compound panicles 

 thrown out by its long terminal shoots and the ample nectar the flowers provide 

 for the honey-making bees of our forests and gardens. The blossom of the Kaju 

 {Anacardium occidentale), originally a native of Brazil, but now thoroughly natur- 

 alized almost to wildness, has come and gone. Here on this specimen you see 

 that the fruit is already forming. The fleshy peduncle, which is generally used as 

 fruit under the name of Kaju, is not the real fruit. The grey kidney-shaped 

 capsule you see hanging is really and truly the fruit and seed combined. The seed is 

 agreeable to eat and much used for culinary purposes as Kdju gold. What is eaten 



