THE NAVEL ORANGE OF BAHIA. 25 



Dende oil is an important food product, entering into the prepara- 

 tion of a number of dishes, some of which, such as vatapa, are con- 

 sidered peculiar to the region. While utilized by all classes of people, 

 its greatest popularity is among the negToes, long familiarity hav- 

 ing made dende oil almost as indispensable to them as olive oil 

 is to the Spaniard. The price at which it is sold, 25 to 30 cents for 

 a quart bottle, is not high by Brazilian standards. Its flavor is 

 characteristic, but not objectionably strong. The oil is prepared by 

 a simple process, requiring no special utensils and involving but 

 little labor. The pulp is macerated and placed in cold water, and as 

 the oil rises to the surface it is skimmed off, placed in a pan, and 

 boiled down to remove all water and other foreign substances. When 

 ready for use it is deep orange colored, about as heavy as olive oil, 

 and usually somewhat cloudy in appearance. Upon exposure to 

 cold it solidifies. It is said to be employed as an illuminating oil, 

 as well as being used for culinary purposes. 



The utility of the dende palm is not limited to the production of 

 oil. Among the Bahians the leaflets are used for making brooms, 

 while the woody leafstalks are split and woven into baskets. 



SOME INTERESTING FRUITS OF RIO DE JANEIRO AND VICINITY. 



Aside from the natural beauty of its surroundings, the capital of 

 Brazil has an added interest to the horticulturist in its magnificent 

 avenues of Royal palms {Oreodoxa oleracea Mart.), of which there 

 are a number scattered throughout the city. In such an avenue as 

 that in the Botanic Garden, over half a mile in length, this palm is 

 seen at its best, its straight, flawless trunk rising to a height of over 

 a hundred feet, crowned by a tuft of graceful leaves. There are 

 certainly few plants more striking in landscape effect than this, and 

 it should be more widely grown throughout the Tropics and in the 

 United States wherever it will survive the winters. 



Rio de Janeiro does not appear to have the profusion of indigenous 

 and exotic fruits which are found in Bahia, yet the markets are 

 nearly always supplied Avith many choice sorts. European fruits, 

 such as the apple, tlie pear, and the grape, hold a much more impor- 

 tant position than in Bahia, large quantities being imported from 

 I^urope and North America in addition to a limited production of 

 certain ones in various parts of Houtbern Tirazil. Many of the 

 tropiciil fiiiifs foiiiid \\i I>:ilii;i mic common, notably the cashew, 

 the mango, the sugar-ap])lc, t!i(^ pineapple, and tlie banana. 



THK JABOTICABA. 



Among the frnit ti-ees ruUivatocl in tlic gardens about Rio de 

 Janeiro tlie jaboticiiba is ouv of the coinnionest, and certainly the 

 one which creates the strongest impression npon the newcomer. The 



