ENG-1952 — Page 255

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1952

blossom at the branch tips and leaf bases. The well- known fruit, called in Chinese "Lung-aan" (Dragon's Eye), begins to ripen in July. It is rounded, about inch in diameter, of a yellowish-brown colour, contain- ing a white, fleshy, edible pulp surrounding a dark brown seed. There are many varieties of Lung-aan for which Kwangtung is famous. The fruits are commonly eaten raw, but in recent years the pulp has been canned, or the fruit dried, in the same way as that of the laichee.

Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosaefolia)

A highly ornamental tree both on account of its leaves and flowers; it is a native of Brazil, but has been introduced into many tropical and sub-tropical countries. It reaches a height of 30 to 40 feet and has a round or spreading crown. The big, elegant leaves are divided into tiny segments, which give it the appearance of a fern. Large, loose clusters of bluish- purple flowers, sometimes as many as ninety in one. glorious spray, appear in April and May. At the height of the season these flowers fall in great numbers and form a bluish carpet on the ground. The fruit, which seldom develops, is brown and oval.

Fauna

Hong Kong has a varied fauna to interest the naturalist and there is much scope for original work by zoologists. A general idea of the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and other wild life of the Colony may be gained by reference to the Annual Reports for the years 1947 and 1949, and mention of certain birds was made in the report for 1950; some publications on natural history are included in the bibliography.

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