136 
CALYCIFLORyE. 
1. LufTa acutangula. East- Indian- Okra. 
Stem tortile, leaves cordate subquinque-lobate 
acutely toothed, cirrhi undivided or 2-3-cleft, fruit 
clavate 10-angular crowned at the apex with the 
calyx, rind hard, seeds plane oblongo-rotundate 
black and shining when ripe. 
II A B. Cultivated. On fences. 
F L. Throughout the year. 
It is probable that this plant wvas brought here by the 
Coolie emigrants, as it is of very recent introduction. It 
is a native of the East Indies, where it is much esteemed 
as a pot-herb. It is very generally cultivated in the 
Isles of France and of Bourbon. 
2. LufTa iEgyptiaca. The Strainer Vine. 
Stem hirsute anguloso-sulcated, leaves cordate 
subrotund lobed with the lobes angular excised 
at the base with the margin incumbent, cirrhi 
simple, fruit obovato-clavate 10-angled crowned 
with the divisions of the calyx. 
Cucumis iEgypticus reticulatus, Moris. Hist. I. 35. f. 
1. t.. 7. — Momordica lufia, Willd. Spec. IV. 003. — LufTa 
iEgyptiaca, DC. Prod. 303. 
II A B. Fences. 
F L. Throughout the year. 
The specimens of the fruit that I have met with resem- 
ble in shape and size the common cucumber, being how- 
ever somewhat thicker. The attachment of the fruit to 
the vine continues after the fruit has become ripe, and the 
pulp has decayed, so that only the reticulated fibres are 
left, preserving the form or frame-work, and representing 
as it were the skeleton of the fruit. In this state, it is adapt- 
ed and has been applied to the purpose of straining lime- 
juice for the manufacturing of Punch. Hence it has re- 
ceived the familiar designation of the Strainer-Vine. 
Those who resort to this expedient, however, must be 
more curious than particular, as the process by this me- 
thod would be very imperfectly performed. 
The pulp, though insipid, is said to constitute an article 
