17 



children. From the stems of this palm are made the brooms 

 that in old times were so commonly made and offered for sale 

 by the natives, but are now seldom seen. The sap is also used 

 for making an intoxicating drink. 



Fhy salts peruviana, Linn. Solanaceae. 



This is an introduced plant which has become quite natura- 

 lised in the colony, as it also has in most tropical and semi- 

 tropical countries. It is commonly known as the Cape Goose- 

 berry, and at Home, where it is sometimes seen, as the " Hooded 

 Cherry." The fruit is much relished by both natives and 

 Europeans, and large quantities of jam are made from it, both 

 for home consumption and for export. Another species of the 

 genus, P. minima, is also occasionally met with, but the fruits 

 are much smaller than those of P. peruviana, and are of but 

 little use ; a third species also occurs in the colony, but has not 

 yet been specifically identified, its fruits are also small, and 

 though edible are of but little value. 



Plectronia ventusa, Linn. um-Vutwamini. Rubiaceae 



A small tree found all over the colony, its branches, especially 

 the younger ones are spiny, the fruit is ovate and about f inch 

 long, edible but insipid. The fruits of P. spinosa, Klotsch, are 

 very similar and are also edible. 



Rubus Ludwiggii, E. &. Zt. i-Jingijolo. Rosaceae. 



Rubus rigidus, Smith. 



These are two of our indigenous species of " Blackberry " or 

 " Bramble," their fruits are edible, but not equal to those of the 

 European or American species ; cultivation would probably 

 improve them. 



Salacia alternifolia, Hochst. i-Bonsi. Celastrineae 



A small undershrub usually about 1 to 2 feet high, but occa- 

 sionally at edges of woods assuming a rambling habit. The 

 fruits are an inch or more in diameter, dull red when ripe, and 

 are said to be not unpleasant to the taste. In plentiful seasons 

 they are collected and offered for sale by the natives, but they 

 are not suitable for cookery. 



Sclerocarya caffra, Sond. um-Gano. Sapindaceae 



A large deciduous tree, the fruit is about the size of a small 

 hen's egg, slightly compressed, and yellow or greenish yellow 

 when ripe, the small quantity of pulp contained between the 

 outer skin and the kernel has somewhat the flavoui' of the 

 Mango, but is more acid. The fruits are used by the Amatonga 

 Kaffirs for making an intoxicating drink. 



