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THE ECONOMIC HOUSE 63 
used as a food. Oil pressed from fermented fruit, and known as Gal- 
lipoli oil, is used in dyeing. The wood is used in cabinet work. Trees 
are in existence that are more than 1000 years old. Large specimens 
are kept outdoors in the summer and in the Bay House in the winter. 
Oxyanthus natalensis, belongs to the Rubiaceae, the family to which 
coffee belongs. The small trees are natives of Natal, but are cultivated 
in Florida for their fragrant white flowers which are used in the making 
of perfume. 
Pachira insignis, a native of Mexico, belongs to the Bombacaceae, a 
family with no local representatives. The tree is much cultivated 
in the West Indies and in Venezula for its showy flowers, its large 
fruits, and its edible seeds, which are of the size and flavor of chestnuts. 
This collection also contains a related species, of less economic value, 
whose chief interest lies in the fact that the seed pods explode noisily 
and scatter seeds to a great distance. 
Parkia timoriana, or CUPANG, belongs to the Leguminosae, or Pulse 
family. It is a very large tree, reaching a height of 115 feet. Its 
small, fern-like leaves make it a most attractive shade tree. It is a 
native of Timor and the Philippine Islands, and has been recently 
introduced into the United States by the Department of Agriculture. 
Passiflora, or PASSION-FLOWER, belongs to the Passifloraceae. One 
species, bearing fruits known as maypops, is a native of all the south- 
eastern part of the United States. The Conservatory has seven 
species of the genus in its collection, all evergreen climbers, grown 
for their showy flowers. Of these the most interesting are probably 
the two following: 
Passiflora edulis, or GRANADILLA, or PAssion-FRuit. The fruit of 
this species, which is a native of Brazil, is about the size of a hen’s 
egg, and is dull purple in color. It is used in sherbets, cake icings, 
confectionery, jams, etc. It is also eaten uncooked with sugar or is 
made into a cooling drink. It is much esteemed in Queensland and 
New South Wales where it is cultivated commercially, and where 
profits of from $100 to $300 per acre are reported from its culture. 
Passiflora laurifolia, or \WWATER-LEMON, or JAMAICA HONEYSUCKLE, 
which is a native of the West Indies. This vine also bears an edible 
fruit. 
Persea gratissima, or ALLIGATOR PEAR, or Avocapo, belongs to the 
Lauraceae, the family to which sassafras belongs. The tree grows 
wild in the West Indies, Brazil, Peru, and Mexico. It is cultivated 
on a commercial scale in California, Florida, and other warm parts 
of America. The fruit, which varies in color, in thickness of skin, in 
flavor, and in size, is occasionally seen in northern markets. Small 
fruits weigh but a few ounces; large ones may weigh 3 to 4 pounds. 
The favorite variety has a fruit about the size and shape of a Kieffer 
pear, with a soft, oily, yellow pulp. The flavor is peculiar, but those 
who learn to like it become very fond of it. The fruit is usually eaten 
as a salad, dressed with vinegar, salt, and pepper. The vegetable 
oil present makes the fruit unusually valuable as a food, rather than a 
dessert. Oil expressed from the fruit is used in soap making and for 
