POMEGRANATE.

The pomegranate or dalima (Punica granatum) flourishes here, as in all warm climates.

GRAPES, ETC.

Grape-vines are planted with success by Europeans for their tables, but not cultivated by the people of the country.  There is found in the woods a species of wild grape, called pringat (Vitis indica); and also a strawberry, the blossom of which is yellow, and the fruit has little flavour.  Beside these there are many other, for the most part wild, fruits, of which some boast a fine flavour, and others are little superior to our common berries, but might be improved by culture.  Such are the buah kandis, a variety of garcinia (it should be observed that buah, signifying fruit, is always prefixed to the particular name), buah malaka (Phyllanthus emblica), rukam (Carissa spinarum), bangkudu or mangkudu (Morinda citrifolia), sikaduduk (melastoma), kitapan (Callicarpa japonica).

FLOWERS.

“You breathe in the country of the Malays (says the writer before quoted) an air impregnated with the odours of innumerable flowers of the greatest fragrance, of which there is a perpetual succession throughout the year, the sweet flavour of which captivates the soul, and inspires the most voluptuous sensations.”  Although this luxurious picture may be drawn in too-warm tints it is not however without its degree of justness.  The people of the country are fond of flowers in the ornament of their persons, and encourage their growth, as well as that of various odoriferous shrubs and trees.

KANANGA.

The kananga (Uvaria cananga, L.) being a tree of the largest size, surpassed by few in the forest, may well take the lead, on that account, in a description of those which bear flowers.  These are of a greenish yellow, scarcely distinguishable from the leaves, among which the bunches hang down in a peculiar manner.  About sunset, if the evening be calm, they diffuse a fragrance around that affects the sense at the distance of some hundred yards.

CHAMPAKA.

Champaka (Michelia champaca).  This tree grows in a regular, conical shape, and is ornamental in gardens.  The flowers are a kind of small tulip, but close and pointed at top; their colour a deep yellow, the scent strong, and at a distance agreeable.  They are wrapped in the folds of the hair, both by the women, and by young men who aim at gallantry.

TANJONG.

Bunga tanjong (Mimusops elengi, L.) A fair tree, rich in foliage, of a dark green; the flowers small, radiated, of a yellowish white, and worn in wreaths by the women; their scent, though exquisite at a distance, is too powerful when brought nigh.  The fruit is a drupe, containing a large blackish flatted seed.

GARDENIA.

Sangklapa (Gardenia flore simplice).  A handsome shrub with leaves of very deep green, long-pointed; the flowers a pure white, without visible stamina or pistil, the petals standing angularly to each other.  It has little or no scent.  The pachah-piring (Gardenia florida, described by Rumphius under the name of catsjopiri) is a grand white double flower, emitting a pleasing and not powerful odour.