40 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
Ravend-sara. Of all the various nutmeg trees in Madagascar, this more particu¬ 
larly attracts the attention of the botanist. The essence which is extracted from its 
leaves, possesses the united perfume of the clove, the cinnamon, and the nutmeg: 
they also produce an oil which is more esteemed than that of the clove, and it is 
preferred in culinary preparations, by the cooks of the Indies, to any other spice. 
It is a very precious tree, and loves a moist soil, though it is seen to flourish 
in a dry one: it grows to a large size, and its pyramidal head is well furnished 
with leaves. Its wood is white, hard, heavy, and without smell; but the bark sends 
forth a very powerful odour. The fruit of the Ravend-sara is of a globular form, 
flattened on its two extremities : its odour, as well as that of its shell, is not so strong 
as the perfume of the leaf, but is of a more delicate fragrance. 
The Harame. It is the loftiest and largest tree of the country of Foule-pointe: its 
wood is white, but red at the heart. When it has attained its full growth, it sheds 
its exterior bark every year, which is of a greyish colour, and thick contexture. The 
trunk of this tree is smooth, and without any branches, but at its extremity, where it is 
well dressed with foliage, and the tuft which crowns it is a pleasing object. The least 
incision made in this tree procures an abundance of a white resinous alnd aromatic 
juice : the female Malegaches make a paste of it, which they consider as a very valu¬ 
able cosmetic for the preservation of the skin. On burning this rosin, it dispenses 
perfume like that of incense. The fruit consists of a nut, whose outside skin alone 
gives an aromatic fragrance. 
The Laben. This tree grows on the sea-shore, and consequently loves a sandy 
soil: it rises to a great height, and its wood is hard, of a reddish hue, and suited to 
the purposes of joinery. The fruit is of the size and shape of an olive, and its kernel 
is of a white colour and delicate taste. 
The Fouraha. It is a very fine tree, and one of the most useful productions of 
hot countries. Except the teak, it is the best wood that the Indies afford for the con¬ 
struction of ships. It produces a balm of a green colour, which is a very excellent 
vulnerary. It is large, with spreading branches and tufted foliage; but the most 
remarkable circumstance belonging to it is its extraordinary height. 
The Tevartna. This tree presents, amidst the wild irregularity of the forest, all 
the symmetry of art: it has all the appearance of having been clipped into the form 
of a pyramid, consisting of seven distinct stages. 
The Huitchy. This is the most common tree in the forests of Foule-pointe; and, 
