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Vol. III. FEBRUARY, 1887. No. 22 



A LEMONADE AND SUGAR TREE. 



A peculiar shrub, related to the sumacs, is found growing 

 abundantly in the vicinity of San Diego, and is known to botan- 

 ists as Rhus integriiblia. It grows but a foot or two in height 

 along the ocean beach, where it ^orms close, impenetrable oval 

 masses, offering the least obstruction possible ro the sea breezes ; 

 but, in more sheltered places, it often assumes the proportions ot a 

 small tree, especially further south, on the shores of Todos Santos 

 Bay, Lower California, where the larger ones frequently attain a 

 height of twenty or thirty feet and a diameter of some twenty 

 inches. 



The wood is of a rich dark color, and very hard, and in con- 

 sequence has been called by the very indefinite name. ' mountain 

 mahogany,' applied to every native wood of a deep hue. This 

 shrub is not, however, a native of the mountains, being confined 

 to the lower lands near the sea. Some experiments are being 

 made with its leaves and bark, which are believed to contain valu- 

 able tannin. 



As many botanists, and all who are acquainted with this shrub, 

 are well aware, the berries are extremely sour, and covered 

 with a white oily substance even more tart than the deep reddish 

 pulp surrounding the large seed- The berries are frequently 

 gathered and used in the preparation of a cooling, refreshing 

 drink, equal to lemonade, by those acquainted with them, and I 

 have never heard of any injurious results. 



An old Spanish lady related to me how they used to gather and 

 dry the berries, roast and grind them as we would coffee berries, 

 and store the product for use when they wanted an acid dr nk, and 

 the fresh fruit was not to be had. She spoke of it as ' one ot the 

 native fruits of the land,' useful in the making of lemonade. 



Capt. German Senter, residir.g at Sauzal de Comacho, on 

 Todas Santos Bay, Lower Calitbrnia, informed me he had ob- 

 served Indian squaws bring in a quart dish full of the berries and 

 eat them down clear, because of their supposed medicinal qualities. 



