DECEMBEK, 1903, TO DECEMBER, 1905. 191 



15000 to 15210— Continued. 



a little less than one-half as wide as long. The stalks and branches of the 

 fruit clusters are bright orange. 



Flesh firm, moderately sweet, with an agreeable flavor resembling that of 

 Thaby. Said to ripen early. 



15050. Ehars. (Sometimes known as Rhars (or Ghars or Cheress) Mettigul.) 



A second-class tho well-known date of the "soft" type; fruit If to over 2 

 inches long, two-fifths to four-ninths as wide, oblong or inversely egg-shaped, 

 bay colored when ripe, its surface somewhat shining; the flesh 2 to 4 lines 

 thick, very soft; the slender seed five-eighths to three-fifths as long as the 

 fruit, two-sevenths to one-third as wide as long, broad and rounded at both 

 ends. The ripe fruit does not keep its shape well when preserved. The stalks 

 and branches of the fruit clusters are bright orange. The trunk is stout and 

 the foliage luxuriant, numerous long leaves being crowded with long, broad 

 leaflets. 



One of the earliest. Said to begin to ripen as early as the end of July. The 

 fruit is large, bay colored when ripe, with copious soft, sirupy, translucent 

 flesh, very sweet and rich-flavored. I^ot one of the best-keeping sorts. 



15051. Sba Aroossa. 



Said to be rare and of fairly good quality. Reported to be a long, slender 

 date, ripening in October and not keeping well. 



15052. SayhaBooDra. 



A third-class "soft" variety; fruit 2 to over 2 J inches long, about three- 

 sevenths as wide, oblong, somewhat pointed at the apex, usually curved; 

 prune purple when ripe; the surface rather dull; the flesh Band Si lines thick, 

 rather firm ; the slender seed about one-half as long as the fruit and two-sevenths 

 to one-third as wide as long. The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters 

 are bright orange colored. 



The largest of the Tunisian varieties. Flesh thick, rather tough. Flavor 

 agreeable, suggesting Boo Fagoos. Ripens about the end of October. 



15053. Tafazireen. {Also Tafazaouine, or Tafezoiveen.) 



A first-class "soft" date; fruit 2 to 2^ inches long, about two-fifths as wide, 

 oblong, tapering slightly from base to apex, bright ba}" colored when ripe; the 

 skin conspicuously marked with short linear scars; the flesh IJ to 2 lines thick; 

 the slender seed about three-fifths as long as the fruit. 



The handsome fruit is easily recognized by its long, narrow shape, bright- 

 bay color, and curiously marked skin. It is said to ripen in October. The 

 flesh is soft and translucent, like that of the Deglet Xoor. It is very sweet, 

 and of excellent flavor. 



15054. Tantaboosht,- or Tantabouchi. 



A third-class "soft" date; fruit nearly spherical, usually somewhat wider 

 than long, 1 to H inches in greatest diameter, usually widest above the 

 middle, slightly deprest at apex, not keeping its shape well when preserved, 

 very dark brown purple (almost black) when ripe; the flesh 3 to 5 lines thick, 

 very soft and dark colored; the large seed two-thirds to four-fifths as- long as 

 the fruit, one-half to tv^-o-thirds as wide as long; smooth. The stalks and 

 branches of the fruit clusters are deep orange colored. 



A date remarkable for its round shape and very soft, almost black flesh. 

 Flavor peculiar and characteristic, even perfectly ripe fruit retaining a certain 

 amount of astringency. 



15055. Tenaseen. (French orthography, Tanessin, or Tenassine.) 



A third-class "soft" variety; fruit If to 1| inches long, about one-half as 

 wide, oblong, not keeping its shape well when preserved, black when ripe; the 

 flesh very soft, nearly black; the seed five-ninths to five-eighths as long as the 

 fruit, about one-third as wide as long, rather dark brown. 



The flavor of the very sweet, soft, dark-colored flesh suggests Tozer Zaid 

 Safra, but fs more agreeable. Is said to ripen in October. 



15056. Thaby, or Dzhabi. 



A second-class "dry" variety' ; fruit 1§ inches long or slightly longer, about 

 one-half as wide; oblong, often slightly constricted a little above the base, some- 



97 



