104. ON GEO WING THE LANSEH AND CAEAUNDA AS TABLE-FEUIT. 
It belongs to the Natural Order ApocynacecB, or Dog-banes, some members of which Order, 
although plants of considerable beauty, are classed amongst our most deadly poisons. 
Our present subject, however, and several others, bear eatable fruit, possessing con- 
siderable merit, amongst 
which may be mentioned 
Willughheia edulis, Han- 
cornia pubescens and spe- 
ciosa, Carpodinus dulcis, 
or Sweet Pishamin, and 
Melodinus monogynus 
M. Baueri, and Carissa 
edulis. 
In its native country 
this plant forms a spread- 
ing shrub 15 or 20 feet 
in height, and flowering 
during the months of 
June and July. The 
branches are numerous, 
slender, and forked. 
Leaves opposite, ovate- 
mucronate, obtuse, gla- 
brous. Spines in pairs 
at the divisions of the 
branches, and at the axils 
of the leaves, often two- 
forked. Corymbs termindl 
and axillary, few- flowered. 
Flowers jasmine-like, fra- 
grant. (7^i??/a? five-toothed. 
Corolla funnel-shaped, 
with a five-parted limb 
and naked throat, white, 
slightly tinged wdth rose-colour. Stamens five, inclosed. Ovary two-celled, cells few-seeded. 
Style thread-like. Stigma bifid. Fruit a two-celled, four-seeded berry, about the size of 
a cherry, black and shining when ripe. 
The cherry-like fruit of this shrub is, when ripe, almost universally eaten,both by the 
natives of India and by Europeans, and when preserved they form an excellent substitute 
for our red-currant jelly. Previously to becoming ripe, they are either eaten with salt, 
or pickled ; for this last purpose they are thought to be superior to any other fruit in 
India, even the Mango is considered inferior for this use. In the unripe state they also 
make excellent tarts, and are manufactured into various kinds of preserves. 
The growth of the shrub is bushy and spreading ; in Bengal it is formed into 
hedges, which growing strong, and forming a dense thicket with the branches in 
addition to the strong sharp spines, the fence becomes all but impossible to pass through. 
The plant has been long introduced to this country, having been cultivated in 1790, 
but is now seldom met with in Collections. It is well worthy of a place in every stove, 
only for its ornamental character and the fragrance of its flowers. 
It is easy of culture, requiring the heat and treatment of common stove-plants, and to 
be potted in a mixture of peat, loam, and sand, with good drainage. It is readily 
increased by cuttings of the half- ripened wood planted in pots of sand, and placed under a 
glass in heat. 
