Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-02-16
Wonderful Trees.

brief descriptions, are some Of the most curl
Gus:
THE GREAT CHESTNUT TREE.--On the
one side OF Mount Etna, there is famous
chestnut tree, which Is said to be one hun
dred and ninety-six feet in circumference,
Just above the surface of the ground. Its
enormous trunk is separated into FIVE di'
visions which gives it the appearance o.
several trees growing together. In circu.
lar space formed by these large branches,a
hut has been erected for the accommoda-
ton of those who collect the chestnuts.
The DWARF TREE.-Capt's. King and
Fitzroy state that they saw tree on the
mountains near Cape Horn, which was on
ly one or two inches high, yet had branch
es spreading out four or five feet along the
ground
The SACK TREE.-There is said to be a
tree in Bombay called the sack tree, be-
cause from it may be stripped very singu-
lar natural sacks, which resemble "felt' in
appearance.
THE IvoRY-NUT TREE.-The ivory nut
tree is populary called the Tagua plant, and
is common in South America. The tree is
one Of she numerous family of palms, but
belongs to the order designated as screw
pine tribe. The natives use their leaves to
cover their cottages, and from the nuts
make buttons, and various other articles.
In an early state, the nuts contain a
sweet milky liquid, which afterwards as.
sumes soidity nearly equal to ivory, and
will admit of high polish. 1t is known
as ivory nut, or vegetable ivory, and has
recently been brought into use for various
purposes. @
TIE BRAzIL-NpT TREE.-The Brazil-nut
tree may justly command the attention OF
the enthusiastic naturalist. This tree
thrives well in the provinces of Brazil, and
immense quantities of ITS delicious fruit
are annually exported to foreign countries.
1t grows 10 the height of from fifty to
eighty feet, and in appearance is one of the
most majestic ornaments of the forest
The fruit in its natural position resembles
cocoa-nut being extremely hard. and OF
about the size of chld's head. Each one
of these shells contains from twelve to
twenty of these three cornered nuts, nice
ly packed together. And to obtain the nut,
as they appear in market, these shells have
TO be broken open.
During the season of their falling, it is
dangerous to enter the groves where they
abounG,as the force of their descent is SUI
fciant to KNOCK down the strongest man.
The natives, however, provide themselves
with wooden bucklers, which they hold o,
yer ther heads while collecting the fruit
from the ground. In this manner they are
perfectly secure from injury.
The CANNON BALL TREE.-Among the
plants OF Guinea one OF the most curious
is the cannon ball tree. It grows to the
heighth of sixty feet, and its flowers are re.
markable for beauty and fragrance, and
contradictory qualities. Its blossoms are
of delicious crimson, appearing IN large
lunches, and exhaling rich perfume.
The fruit resembles enormous cannon
balls hence the name. However, some
say it has been so called because OF the
noise which the balls make in bursting
From the shell domestic utensils are made.
and the contents contain several kinds of
acids, besides sugar and gum, and furnish
the materials for making an excellent drink
in sickness. But, singular asst saay ap-
pear. this pulp, when in perfectly ripe
state, is very filthy, and The odor from it is
exceedingly unpleasant.
The SoRRowFUL TREE.-At Goa, near
Bombay, there is singular vegetable-the
sorrowful tree-so called, because it only
floprishes in the night. At sunset no flow
ers are to be seen; and yet, half an hour
after it is quite full of them. They yield
sweet smell, but the sun 10 sooner begins
10 shine upon them than some of them fall
off, ,snd others close Up; and thus il con-
iinaes towering in the night all the year.
The Cow TREE.-This tree is native
Of Venezuela, South America. 1t grows in
rocky situations, high up the mountains
Baron Yon Humboldt gives the following
description Of it,
On the Barren flank of rock grows
tree with dry and leatherly leaves; its large
woody roots can scarcely penetrate into
the stony soil. For several months in the
year, not single shower moistens its foli-
age. Its branches appear dead and dried
yet as soon as the trunk is pierced, there
flows fromit sweet and nourishing milk.
ii is at sunrise that this vegetable foun-
tain is most abundant The natives are
then to be seen Fastening from all quarters,
furnished with lalge bowls to reoewe'the
milk, which grows yellow, and thickens at
the surface. Some drain their bowls un-
der the tree, while others carry home the
juice to their children and you might fam
ICY, as the father returned home with this
milk, you saw thefamily OF shepherd
gathering around and receiving from him
the production of his kline.
The milk obtained by insclsions made in
the trunk is tolerably thick, free from all
acridity, and agreeable and balmy smeH.-
It was offered to us in the shell of the cal
abash tree. We drank considerable guam
tlty oft in the evening before going to bed,
and very early in the morning, without
experiencing the slightest injurious effect
The BREAD FRUIT TREE-This tree is
found on the islands of the Pacific Ocean.
The trunk rises to the height of thirty or
forty feet, and attains the Size of mans
body. The fruit grows about the size of
.chili's head. When used for food, it is
gathered before it is fully ripe, and baked
among ashes, when it becomes a whole
some bread, and in taste somewhat re-
sembles fresh wheat bread.
This Is very useful tree to the natives;
for, besides its fruit, which supplies them
with food its trunk furnishes timber for
their houses and canoes; the gum which
exndes from it serves as pitch for the yes-
sells, and from the fbres of the inner bark
a cloth is made to cover their persons.
The ,UPAs TREE.-For some ages it was
helieued that a tree existed In The Ea,t In