CHAP. 41.—THE COCCYGIA; THE APHARCE.

Similar, too, in leaf to the preceding tree, is the coccygia,[1] though not so large; it has this peculiarity, that it loses its fruit while still in the downy[2] state—they then call it "pappus"—a thing that happens to no other tree. The apharce[3] is another tree that is similar to the andrachle, and like it, bears twice in the year: just as the grape is beginning to flower the first fruit is ripening, while the second fruit ripens at the commencement of winter; of what nature this fruit is we do not find stated.

1. The Rhus cotinus of Linnæus, a sort of sumach.

2. This is not the fact; the seeds when ripe are merely lost to view in the large tufts of down which grow on the stems.

3. Generally supposed to be the same as the alaternus, mentioned in B. xvi. c. 45. Some writers identify it with the Phyllirea angustifolia of Linnæus.