17 



Berry a amonilla, Boxb. — A valuable timber tree, native of 

 Ceylon, it reaches up to 40 feet in height, and the wood is 

 much esteemed for its lightness and strength, it is used for a 

 variety of purposes, such as cask staves, capstan bars, boat 

 building, &c, and is in much request. 



Boehmeria nivea, Gaudichaud. " China Grass." — This 

 plant grows fairly well in the Gardens, but I fear that it will 

 hardly pay for cultivation in Natal, as it will not in my opinion 

 yield a sufficient number of cuttings in the year, experiments 

 will be made with it during the year, and a record kept of the 

 number of cuttings made and the size and Aveight of stems. 



Caryophyllus aromaticus, Linn. " Cloves." — A few years 

 ago we had a couple of plants of this species in the Gardens 

 which were looking fairly well, but they had to be removed to 

 make room for the Curator's residence, and we have not been 

 able to replace them until now, these plants will form a subject 

 for future report. 



Ghrysojpliylluni cainito, Linn. " Star Apple." — This tree is a 

 native of the West Indies, where its fruit is known as the 

 " Star Apple," on account of the seeds being arranged in a star- 

 like manner in the centre of the fruit. Like some others of the 

 Sapotaceae to which order it belongs the leaves are of a golden 

 colour on the under surface, hence the generic name, " golden 

 leaf." The fruit is said in the West Indies to attain the size 

 of a large apple, but the few borne by our tree were much 

 smaller than this, probably as the tree becomes older the size 

 of its fruits will increase, as it appears to be quite healthy. 

 There may, perhaps, be different opinions as to the flavour of 

 its fruits, but I think that they will be generally liked. Our 

 tree was planted in 1894. I am informed by a gentleman who 

 has lived in the West Indies that they are there much esteemed, 

 and also that there are several varieties, some being much 

 superior to others, it may therefore be that our plant is not 

 one of the best varieties, but of that we shall be better able to 

 judge later on when the tree is older and more vigorous. 



Croton tiglium, Linn. — From the seeds of this plant the 

 medicinal Croton oil is obtained, we have planted it in the 

 Gardens before, but it has not done well, this time, however, it 

 seems to be likely to succeed. 



Pistachio, vera, Linn. — Three plants of this species were 

 planted out last year but one only survived, and it makes but 

 very slow growth, it will, I think, be necessary to import 

 grafted plants io make the experiment a success, and I shall 

 try to obtain a few female plants if possible. 



