Botanical or Horticultural interest that attaches to it, pro- 
mises to be soon the most important, as it is already the 
most magnificent, in Europe. 
Sir Hans Sloane thus speaks of the Avocado: — 
** This tree grows commonly to the size of our largest 
apple-trees in Europe, and spreads pretty wide at the top. 
The branches are very succulent and soft, the leaves 
oblong and veiny, and the fruit of the form of a pear; but 
the pulp is covered with a tough skinny coat, and contains 
a large rugged seed, which is wrapped up in one or two 
thin membranous covers. The fruit of this tree is one of 
those that is held in the greatest esteem amongst all sorts 
of people in these colonies: the pulp is of a pretty firm 
consistence, and has a delicate rich flavour; it gains upon 
the palates of most people, and becomes soon agreeable 
even to those who cannot like it at first; but is so rich and 
mild, that most people make use of some spice or pungent 
substance to give it a poignancy ; and for this purpose, 
some make use of wine, some of sugar, some of lime-juice, 
but most of pepper and salt. Most sorts of creatures are 
observed to feed on this fruit with pleasure; and it seems 
equally agreeable to the horse, the cow, the dog, and the 
cat, as well as to all sorts of birds; and when plenty, makes 
a great part of the delicacies of the negroes. 
‘ The tree requires some care, a rich soil, and a warm 
situation, to raise it to perfection. It was first introduced 
from the continent.” 
J. E. 
