P.V L. A. RERXAYS, ESQ., F.L.S., KTC. 



137 



drink in fevers, and otherwise. The bark and leaves are both 

 astringent, and are used medicinally. The timber is light 

 brown, close and smooth grained, and is much used for gun 

 stocks, handles, &c., and is especially valuable for its durability 

 under water. 



The tree is found in dense forests, at no great elevation, in 

 all ])arts of tropical india, in the Peninsular, and in the 

 Malayan Islands ; and it is also commonly cultivated in India 

 for its ornamental appearance, as well as for its uses. 



lioxburgh speaking of Dillenia speciosa, says : " This when in 

 " flower is one of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen." 

 The specimen from which the fruit examples on the table are 

 taken gives high promise, and that under conditions by no 

 means favourable ; and I am sanguine that from the cro]) of 

 fruit now maturing hundreds of 3'oung plants will be available 

 for planting on our rich coast lands in a few months. To the 

 Acclimatisation Society is due the credit of fruiting this valuable 

 stranger for the first time in Queensland. 



Hai'pe})hyllum caffrum, Bernh. or Spondias caffra, Meisner 

 belonging to the order Terehinfhacece is a tree attaining from 20 

 to 30ft. of height and is a native of Caiiraria. The leaves 

 aggregate at the top of the branches, and being of a rich dark 

 green produce a striking effect. The flowers are small and 

 whitish on very stout pedicels ; and are followed by a fruit in 

 the form of an obovate, smooth, subfleshy drupe about an inch 

 long, blight crimson when ripe, with a bony putamen. The 

 proportion of flesh to stone is not large, but it has a pleasant 

 sub-acid flavor ; and while the fruit has no value for the table, it 

 is by no means a contemptible addition to our garden products. 

 The name is derived from hnrpee a sickle, -cLJid phyllon a leaf, in 

 allusion to the falcate leaves. The Caffres call the tree 

 " Eschenlnnit," and the edible fruit " Zuurebesges." The 

 specimens of the fruit on the table are the produce of a tree in 

 the ])lantations in front of the Houses of Parliament. I cannot 

 say if it has fruited elsewhere ; but a much larger and older 

 specimen at Bo wen Park has not yet been productive. 



Both these trees may Avith advantage be largely cultivated for 

 inti'0(lucti(m into our gardens and plantations ; and I hope that 

 next season, when a supply may be fairly expected to be avail- 

 able, a lai'ge demand for them will have arisen. 



