432 
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 V. bodas, yellow or orange. 
The two first forms are common here. 
The Mata Kuching, N. Longana is a handsome tree with dark 
green leaves larger than those of the preceding. The fruit pro- 
duced in large bunches is globular ^ to f 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 Rician, N. glabrum , is a wild species with roughened fruit 
of a deep red colour, oblong in shape, about an inch long. 1 he 
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. Lit chi. 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 , Radik, I he 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 iVl ata-Kuehing. It and two other equally good 
species X. Zoevigatum 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. 
Melicocca bijuga. A native of South America, has long been in 
cultivation in the Botanic Gardens and often fruits. It is known as 
