256 THE NUT CULTUEIST. 



Australian hazelnut. — The fruit of Macadamia 

 ternifolia (Proteacem). There are two species, both 

 evergreen trees or tall shrubs confined to eastern Aus- 

 tralia. The fruit is a kind of drupe with a fleshy exte- 

 rior, enclosing a hard shelled nut, not unlike a small 

 walnut. The kernel, when mature, has a rich and 

 agreeable flavor, much like but richer than the hazelnut, 

 hence one of its local names, for it is also known as 

 "Queensland nut." This nut tree would probably 

 thrive in southern Florida, and in the warmer parts of 

 California. 



Ben nut. — Fruit of Moringa aptera {Moringem). 

 Small, unarmed trees; only three species in the order, 

 these inhabiting tropical Asia, northern Africa and the 

 West Indies. The one producing the ben nuts grows 

 from fifteen to twenty feet high, and is found in upper 

 Egypt, Syria and Arabia. The seeds, — or nuts, as they 

 are called, — are produced in capsules or seed-pods about 

 a foot long, and while not edible, an oil is expressed 

 from them which is largely used in the manufacture of 

 perfumery, and known in commerce as hen oil. Another 

 species, the M. pterygosperma, or winged-seeded Mo- 

 ringa, is known as the horse-radish tree, the bark of the 

 roots being used as a substitute for horse-radish. 



Betel nut or pinang. — The fruit of a lofty palm, 

 Areca GatecMi (Palmacem). A native of Cochin China, 

 the Malayan Peninsula, and adjacent islands. A slender- 

 stemnied palm, with regular pinnate leaves and long, 

 narrow leaflets. The fruit is produced on an erect, 

 fleshy spike, each fruit about the size of a hen's egg, 

 with a thick, flbrous rind or husk, enclosing a hard nut 

 somewhat like an ordinary nutmeg. These are used by 

 being cut into small pieces or slices, then rolled up in a 

 leaf of the betel pepper {Piper betel), a little lime sprin- 

 kled over it, and then chewed or held in the mouth, as 

 practiced by those who use tobacco for chewing. This 



