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BROMELIACBAB. 



Bromelia app. Cocurstlk or cocurstr. 



At least two species of Bromelia are very common on the west coast, 

 and their fruit is often for sale in the markets. In one it is oblong in 

 shape, 6,5 cm. (2£ inches) long, and of a deep purple color. The other 

 is smaller, ovate, and yellow in color. Both are slightly acid to the 

 taste; a drink similar to lemonade is made from the ripe fruit. It is 

 generally eaten raw, but sometimes cooked. It is said in the latter case 

 to resemble apricots. 



ANONACEAB, 

 Anona cherimolia Mill. Chirimoya. 



CMrimoya is a very abundant fruit in the markets of Mexico. The 

 annual crop is valued at over $45,000. 



The fruit of several species of Anona must go under this name. I 

 found on the streets of Guadalajara two varieties of this fruit, one of 

 which is perhaps A. longiflora. The chirimoya is G.25 to 7.5 cm. (2i 

 to 3 inches) long, ovate in outline, with a brownish skin, either smooth 

 or tuberculate. 

 Anona glabra L. Anona. 



A number of fruits go under the name of anona. 1 collected speci- 

 mens of three species of the genus, all of which are called by the one 

 common name. The chirimoya also belongs to this genus. I was told 

 that the rough-fruited species of Anona were called chirimoya, while 

 the smooth-fruited ones are called anona. 



The anona most largely cultivated is said to be A. glabra, of which I 

 collected specimens on the west coast. The annual crop is valued at 

 over $19,000. 



LAURACEAE. 

 Peisea gratissima Gaertn. Aguacatk. 



The aguacate or alligator pear is a common fruit in the markets of 

 Mexico. It is commonly used as a table fruit eaten raw with pepper 

 and salt, as a salad, in soups, or spread on bread. The fruit is some- 

 what obovate in outline, 7.5 to 8.75 cm. (o to 3J inches) long, containing 

 in the center a large loose seed. Two varieties were seen, one having 

 a green skin with lighter spots, the other nearly black or a dark purple. 

 The pulp is rather firm, in appearance suggesting butter, and hence the 

 popular name " vegetable butter." 



The trees are widely cultivated in the tropical and subtropical parts of 

 the country. The annual crop is valued at about $14,000. As is well 

 known, it is not restricted to Mexico but now cultivated in most tropical 

 countries, and some trees are grown in south Florida and California. 



The fruit is sometimes sold in our markets, but has never received 

 the attention it deserves. 



The following are the names applied to the fruit : Aguacate, ahuacate 

 chico, ahuacate grande. avocado, avocado pear, alligator pear, midship- 

 man's butter, vegetable butter, vegetable marrow. 



