410 
Eugenia, viz., E. Malaccensis and E. Jambos, the latter being the smaller. E. Jambos, 
when cultivated in Sydney in warm situations, ripens its fruit. It is 2 or 3 inches long, 
with flesh emitting a dainty rose-like odour, hence the name. In fact, most of the 
Eugenias yield edible fruit when fully ripe (to which rule the Lilly pilly is no exception), 
and there can be no doubt that some of them can be highly improved in this respect 
by cultivation. All Eugenia trees are more or less ornamental when in full fruit, and 
some of our Australian species, of which the common bush cherry (E. myrtifolia) is a 
good example, are lovely garden objects at that season. Nearly all the Eugenias, 
Australian or not, are notable, and in giving an account of the genus one would have 
something to say about each. 
Coming to the Eugenia now figured, except the mere fact that the fruits were 
eaten by the aborigines, and also by the white man (they are fleshy and acidulous, 
and have no special flavour), I do not know much about them. Their shape is that 
of the earth, which we are told is an oblate-spheroid, the greatest diameter being 
2-2 inches. The colour is white, suffused with green. The fruit was unknown at 
the time the species was described. 
Following are some notes from Indian sources concerning a Rose-apple, 
E. Jambolana Lam., with which our species was so long confused : 
' The fruit is much eaten by the natives of India ; in appearance it resembles 
a damson, has a harsh but sweetish flavour, somewhat astringent and acid. It is much 
eaten by birds, and is a favourite food of the large bat or flying fox." (Brandis.) 
A vinegar prepared from the juice of the ripe fruit is an agreeable stomachic 
and carminative ; it is also used as a diuretic in India. The bark is a useful astringent. 
The expressed juice of the leaves enters into Indian medicine in various ways. The 
seeds are said to be a powerful remedy in diabetes, but their true value has not yet been 
assigned. 
De Candolle (" Origin of Cultivated Plants," p. 240) says that the seeds of the 
Rose-apple are poisonous. 
Timber. I can only give an account of the timber of the closely-allied Indian 
E. Jambolana : 
Timber flesh or red coloured, firm, and close-grained; not much used, except for building 
purposes. It stands well in drying. It is used for building, agricultural implements, and carts, also for 
well-work, as it resists the action of water. Five sleepers of this wood were taken from an Indian railway 
in 1875. They had been in the ground five years, and were reported to be fairly sound and not touched 
by white ants. Weight about 49 Ib. per cubic foot. (Gamble.) 
Size. It attains the dignity of a large tree, not far from 80 or 90 feet high, 
but those I have seen are much smaller. 
Habitat. I only know this from New South Wales, but, in view of the localities 
about to be quoted, it is impossible for it not to occur in Queensland. 
" C. H. Fawcett lately brought this beautiful tree from the banks of the Richmond 
River." (Original description.) 
