Untitled - Library

67
hot-houses in winter in temperate regions. The leaves are broad
.and flat, being 2-3 fte. in length. In summer it blooms among
'the leaves, and ripens yellow scaly oval fruits which arc 5-6
inches in length. The fruits are sweet and of a nice flavour.
243. b. Musa sapientum, Jap. Mlbasho, Banana ; a
species of "M usa yielding edible fruits and purple flowers. It is
cultivated in Loochoo and Bonin Islands. When the fruits are
ripen, they are yellow and 4-5 inches in length. The pulpy
flesh is edible by peeling off the skin, and sweet and fragrant.
'They are esteemed as the best fruits of the south. They are used
to make alcohol and vinegar.
244. Jambusa VUlgaris, DC., Jap. Hoto ; an evergreen
tree of the order Myrtaceae, being about 10 fts. high, and produced
in warm climates, as in Bonin Island. In temperate regions it
must be kept in hot-houses during winter.
form a ball of numerous white stamens.
In summer the flowers
The fruits resemble the
loquat, with yellow skin and large seeds. They are very sweet
and juicy.
244. b. Nephelium longan, Lam., Jap. Riu-gan ; an
evergreen tree of the order Sapindaceae found in warm regions.
It is cultivated in Loochoo Island. It is to be kept in hot-houses
in winter. The leaves grow up pinnately on a petiole.
The
fruits are round and about the size of a finger. When ripen they
are eaten either fresh or dried.
244. C. Nephelium litchi, Camb., Jap. Reishi ; very
closely allied to the preceding, but the plant and fruits are twice
in largeness. When ripen
it has a beautiful red shrivelled skin.
It is sweet and delicious. It is preserved longer than any other
fruit. The plant does not thrive in cold places, but it
grows in
the southern part of Osumi province.
245. Citrullus edulis, Spach., Water melon, Jap.
Suikiva ; an annual cultivated climber of the order Cucurbitaceae.
It produces barren and fertile flowers separately on the same vine.
Its fruits ripen in mid-summer. The fruit is larger than a man's