43 2 



while in others it is more closely adherent after the manner of 

 ordinary Rambutans. 



The tree will grow in much the same localities as the Rambutan, 

 and takes about as long to develop. It flowers and fruits about a 

 month earlier than the latter tree. 



The Pulasan is much less known to the ordinary resident than 

 the Rambutan. It is not so commonly cultivated, probably on 

 account of the smaller demand for it. 



HAASKARL describes three varieties, Pulasan burrum, a red form; 

 P. hidung, a deep black red one, and P. bodas, yellow or orange. 

 The two first forms are common here. 



The Mata Kuching, N. Longana is a handsome tree witli dark 

 green leaves larger than those of the preceding. The fruit pro- 

 duced in large bunches is globular \ to § inch through, brown and 

 tesselated. It contains but little pulp and is altogether inferior to 

 the preceding ones. In fact Europeans seldom eat it, though it is 

 highly popular with natives. 



The Ridan, N. glabj-um, is a wild species with roughened fruit 

 of a deep red colour, oblong in shape, about an inch long. The 

 fruit is produced in large bunches. It is not cultivated but eaten 

 by natives when met with. The pulp is very acid. 



The Litchi, N. Litchi. A native of China and by far the finest 

 flavoured of all the Nepheliums, has often been cultivated in the 

 Straits, and there are some remarkably fine trees in the Gardens 

 in Singapore, but it has never fruited nor even flowered at least 

 in the low country. 



The Nepheliums are often attacked by small chafers, which 

 devour the leaves sometimes almost stripping the trees. 



The fruit is also liable to be devoured by fruit-bats, especially 

 the smaller kinds. The natives defend their trees by tying on to 

 the branches the thorny whips of rattans, so that the bats in at- 

 tempting to attack the fruits get their wings torn by the thorns of 

 the rattans and fall helplessly to the ground. 



I have several times seen Rambutan trees attacked by a fungus 

 which appears to enter by a wound, and canker the tree eating 

 quite into the trunk. It is probably a species of Polyporus. 



Xerospermum muricatum, Radlk. The Rambutan Pachat, is a 

 tree with dark green leaves and yellow sharply muricate fruits, with 

 a small amount of pulp on the stone which is sweet and pleasant 

 to the taste. It is eaten by natives but not cultivated though it is 

 quite as good as the Mata-Kuching. It and two other equally good 

 species X. loevigatum and X. Wallichii are not rare in the forests 

 of the Peninsula. 



Erioglossum edule, Bl. Mertajam, is a fine tree common all 

 over the Peninsula, with white flowers and small black drupes. As 

 its scientific name denotes it is edible, but no one except children 

 would ever eat it. 



Mclicocca bijuga. A native of South America, has long been in 

 cultivation in the P)otanir Gardens and often fruits. It is known as 



