34 POPULAR ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



currants packed very close and without any apparent arrange- 

 ment ; upon closer examination they are however found to 

 be arranged in two tiers, with pithy partitions running be- 

 tween them. 



In the early ages of the world the pomegranate was very 

 highly esteemed, and in hot countries its sub-acid juice is 

 perhaps more grateful to the palate than even that of grapes. 

 It is stated to be a native of Carthage, but this rests solely 

 upon the evidence of Pliny, who had but very limited means 

 of determining such a point. It is now cultivated in Italy, 

 Spain, Portugal, and Southern Prance ; it will even bear the 

 winters of England, and flowers, but does not fruit with 

 us. We annually receive a few chests of pomegranates from 

 Portugal, and sometimes, though rarely, from Barbary. 

 The rind is used in tanning the celebrated Morocco leather. 

 The flowers are very beautiful, of a rich crimson colour; 

 they are dried in Barbary, and are used in dyeing and in 

 medicine by the Moorish inhabitants. 



Olives. — The fruit of Olea Europcea. (Nat. Ord. Oleaeea.) 

 (Plate IV. fig. 16.) 



This fruit is only brought to Britain in a preserved state, 

 being gathered unripe and pickled in a solution of salt. It 

 is used as a dessert fruit, rather for the purpose of renovating 



