Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-10-04
Wonderful Trees.

: Among tn6 IeUlarkaUle Iiooo IL
n the world, the following, of whicl
we have compiled brief descriptions
! are some of the most curious:
4 The Brasil-nut Ires.-The Brazil
nut tree may justly command the
: attention Of the enthusiastic natural
: list. This tree thrives well in the
province of Brazil, and immense guam
!, titles of its delicious fruit are annu'
ally exported to foreign countries
1t grows to the height of from 30 to
so feet, and in appearance is one Of
the most majestic ornaments OF the
forest. The fruit, in its natural po-
sition, resembles a cocoa-nut, being
extremely hard, and about the size
of a child's head. Each one Of these
shells contains from IL to 20 three
cornered nuts, nicely packed togeth-
er. And to obtain the nuts as they
appear in market, these shells have
to be broken open. During the
season of thoir falling it is dangerous
to enter the groves where they a.
bound, as the force of their descent
is sufficient to knock down the strong
est man. The natives however pro-
vide themselves with wooden bucklers,
which they hold over their heads
while collecting the fruit foom the
ground.
The Cannon-5aU Iree-Among
the plants of Guinea, one of the most
curious is the cannon-ball tree. 1t
grows to the height of 60 feet, and
its flowers are remarkable for beauty
and fragrance, and contradictory
qualities. It's blossoms are Of a
delicious crimson, appearing in large
lunches, and exhaling rich perfume.
The fruit resemble 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 shells domestic
utensils are made, and the contents
contain several kinds of acids, besides
sugar and gum, and furnish the ma
terials for making an excellent drink
in sickness. But, strange as it may
appear, this pulp when in q perfect
ripe state, is very filthy, and the odor
from it is exceedingly unpleasant.
THE Great Chestnut Tree.-On
one side of Mount E tina there is a
famous chestnut tree, which is said
to be one hundred and ninety-six
feet in circumference, just above the
surface of the ground. Its enor-
nous trunk is separated into five
which gives it the appear
anoe of several trees growing togther.
In circular space, formed by these
large branches, a hut has been erected
for the accommodation of those who
collect the ehestnuts.
The Dwatf Tree.--Capts. King
and Fitzroy state that they saw q
tree, on the mountains near Cape
Horn, which was one or two inches
high, yet had branches spreading out
four or five feet along the ground.
THE Iuory-nut Tree.-The ivory
nut tree is popularity called the Tagua
plant, and is common in South Amer
lea. 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 sweet milky liquid, which
afterwards assumes solidity nearly
equal to ivory, and will admit Of a |
high polish. It is known as ivory
nut or vegetable ivory, and has re-
Gently been brought into use for
various purposes.
The .SorrowfM Tee.-At Goa, near
Bombay, there is a singular vegeta-
ble-the sorrowful tree--so called
because it only fourishes in the
night. At sunset no flowers are to
bo seen, and yet, half an hour after,
it is quite full of them. They yield
a swee. smell, but the sun no sooner
begins to shine upon them than
some of them fall off, and others close
up: and thus it continues Towering in
the night all the year. -. |
IAe Sack Tree.--There is said to
be tree in Bombay called the sack
tree, because from it may be stripped
very singular natural sacks, which
resemble 'felt" in appearance.