PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
rior, two-leaved, the apex of the limb three-parted ; corolla 
consisting of six petals somewhat revolute, the petals slightly 
cohering at the base, imbricate in aestivation, stamens inde- 
finite, thickly inserted on a petaloid body, w r hich, at its base 
is elongated, ends in a hood, and covers these organs. Fila- 
ments curved, anther two-celled, dehiscence lengthways ; 
ovarium inferior, obsolete, four-celled ; ovula attached to a 
central axis; stigma simple obtuse. Fruit globose, fifteen to 
eighteen inches in circumference. The epicarpium is ru- 
gose ; the mesocarpium which is fleshy in its unripe state, 
changes into fibres, resembling those of the cocoa-nut, 
(Mesoc. fungoso-fibrosum) ; the endocarpium or putamen, is 
slightly umbonate. The locuments which the green fruit 
possess are only thin membranous bodies, searcely to be 
recognised when it has come to maturity ; the nuts are placed 
around the quadrangular spumaphorum in four rows one 
over the other ; there are generally from twenty to twenty- 
four nuts, seldom more, — they are three-cornered, rugose 
of somewhat reniform shape ; the kernel is sweet and does 
not possess the bitter aftertaste of the other Lecythideae. 
At maturity the nut falls to the ground, and the sperma- 
phorum commences to dry up ; the putamen is perforated at 
the top, and when the moisture causes the seeds to germinate, 
they burst the shell. Many are opened by monkeys, pec- 
caries, and other animals, which appear to be very fond of 
them. 
The bark is easily separable like all Lecythideae, and the 
liber is beaten by the Indians into a mass, which they use in 
lieu of tinder. They make of the shell of the nut arm-rings, 
and use it in various other ways ; the wood is bitter, soft, and 
inside generally hollow. This noble tree does not promise, 
therefore, to become useful for architecture ; the nuts are, 
however, delicious, chiefly Avhen they have come to full 
maturity, and are a few weeks from the tree ; for my part I 
do not like them so well when quite fresh. I have met with 
the tree from 3° N. Lat. to the Equator, and it appears to 
thrive best in rich mountain valleys, and at the declivity of 
hills. I observed, however, none at the height of three to 
four thousand feet; they blossom in January, and the fruit 
comes to maturity in five to six months. The Caribees call 
the fruit and tree Batouka, the Wapeshanas Minja, and the 
Macousis Impiema. 
