THE ISLAND OF JAVA. 187 
a tree of moderate size. Each individual fruit bears a resem- 
blance to the famous Li-tchi of China, being a pulpy sub- 
stance of a delicate subacid taste, comprehended within a 
thin crustaceous covering. Pine apples are produced in such 
abundance that they are sent into the cit}*, like turnips to 
Covent Garden, piled up in carts. As a fruit they are not 
much esteemed, except for preserving in sugar. Their acid 
juices are employed for removing rust from SAvord blades, 
knives, and other articles of polished iron. Most of the fruits 
of Europe have been transplanted hither, but, as might be 
expected, they dwindle and degenerate in an equinoctial 
climate. 
Among the trees that are remarkable for singularity or 
beauty may be noticed the Casiiarina Eqnisetifolia, so named 
from the general resemblance of its small pendent branches 
to the hair of the casuary and the plant Equisetian or Horse- 
tail ; the MitcheUa Tchampaca, one variety bearing white, 
and the other yellow, flowers of exquisite fragrance, 3'ielding 
by distillation a spirit more powerful, but not less delicate, 
than the perfume which is extracted from roses ; the Termi- 
nalia Catappa, a grand and beautiful tree, which bears a nut 
usually known by the name of the Indian almond ; and which, 
with the IBomhax and the Erijthrina CoraUodendrum, are per- 
haps the only instances in this country of trees whose leaves 
are deciduous. The Bomhax bears a long pod, which con- 
tains a silky substance like the pod of the Asclepias ; but its 
short staple renders it unfit for other purposes than the stuffing 
of cushions or mattresses. Thousands of variegated loories 
