70 PERSKA GRATISSIMA. 



In unpleasant contrast to these aromatic T^aurineae 

 is another representative of the same famih', OreodapJuie 

 calif ornica , an evergreen tree which grows wcU here and 

 whose specific name indicates its native country. In 

 gardens It is frequenth' labelled I^aurns rci^alis, and 

 indeed it is ver\- like the Laurel. The lea^'es. however, 

 when rubbed emit a volatile oil the smallest quantitv of 

 which is sufficient to irritate the miicous membrane of 

 the nose intenseh'. The inhabitants of California a\'oid 

 these trees or keep to the windward side of them, as 

 the volatile oil which thev diffuse provokes continued 

 sneezing. 



Another of the Laurineae, the Persea gralissima, 

 ma^' be seen at La Mortola. It is much grown in 

 tropical gardens and bears the "Alligator Pear" or 

 "Midshipman's l>utter". The crown of this beautiful 

 tree is dome-shaped and its leaves resemble those of the 

 Laurel. The fruits, which are generally pear-shaped, 

 though frequentl}' very irregular, have a stone in the 

 middle. The pulp melts like butter in the mouth and 

 smells like musk-melon. The Mexicans are ver\' fond 

 of these Alligator Pears made into sg.lad, and vie with 

 one another in the tastv preparation of it. In other 

 countries they are eaten with lemon-juice and sugar and 

 even with meat. All animals are fond of these fruits 

 and regard them as delicacies. Persca n-raiissima is 

 indigenous to tropical America. The name ''Persea", 

 given it h\ the botanist Gartner, has nothing to do 

 with that Persea which was so highh' valued by the 

 Egyptians. In the opinion of Schweinfurt the Persea 



