= the Chirimoya on the slopes of the Andes, and the Mangosteen in the 
_ piece of nature. 
d slopes of which are clothed with numerous Nutmeg-trees, and a turf 
82 
Abstract of a Journal kept during the voyage of H.M.S. Herald; 
by BERTHOLD SEEMANN. E 
(Continued from p. 26.) 
December, 1850.—We had. hardly taken up our position in Singa- 
pore roads when the ship was surrounded by a number of shore-boats 
loaded with crockery, clothing, parrots, monkeys, different articles of 
Gutta Taban, and a variety of eatables. Among the latter were Bana- 
nas, Mangoes, Pine-apples, Limes, Jacks, Oranges, Pompelmoose, etc., 
but on the whole, no great diversity of plants; nor indeed, have I ever 
visited a place which in this respect could equal either Panama or Gua- 
yaquil, where the fruits of both the Old and the New World seem to 
be collected. 
One of the finest productions of Singapore, the Mangosteen, was nearly 
out of season, and could only be procured in small quantities; but 
neither these samples, nor those afterwards obtained off Sumatra, came 
up to the high expectation which I had formed as to their taste. Iam 
glad, however, to have met with the fruit. It enables me to compare 
it with its two rivals, and I may now say that I have tasted “ the three 
. finest fruits in the world,” in those localities in which they are sup- 
. posed to attain their highest perfection: the Pine-apple in Guayaquil, 
tut Mies ESA oR POAT ata RC aE SEE SAT! 
Indian Archipelago. Perplexing as always must be the office of a 
Paris, when on either side such high claims are advanced, yet, I think, 
in this case we may, without offence to the advocates of the other, 
, assign “the apple” to the Chirimoya. Its taste surpasses that of all 
other fruits, and Hænke was quite right when calling it a master- 
.. Singapore makes a favourable impression on the voyager. A mass 
of stately buildings, half-concealed by groves of Bamboos, Fig-trees, | 
d Pueurus, Catechu and Cocoa-nut Palms, encircled a bay, over which the 
. busy operations of shipping diffuse animation and life. On a hill, the 
_ of brilliant green, stands the Government-house, while the background, 
as if to make up for the want of elevated mountains to complete the 
picture, is generally hid from view by the dense vapour, fog, or rain, 
. hanging over the almost impenetrable jungle with which the greater 
| . portion of the island is still covered. The aspect of the whole, how- 
