isj> KOHT.US JAMAICENSI9. *WM5fijJj 



M A MM E E S APOTA. A C H R A S. 



Cl. , OR. !. Hcvandriamonogynia, Nat. OR. Dumosa, 

 CSK. CHAR. if Bully-Tree, p 124. 



MaMMOSA. 



Mahis persica maxima foliis ma?nis, integns, hn?!s, fructu maximo 



cblongo, scabro, osslculo partim rueoso, pai i/'in g/abio. Sloane, 

 V. 2, p. lL'+, t. 218. /'ructu md.Hitio ovate, aetninibus pHucioribus 

 oblongis tuigidis. Browne, p. 201. 



"This genus of plants docs not seem to be yet well understood ; the naseberry and thjs 

 plantare often coiifouiided together, as iveli as the naseberry bullet tree Tiie follow- 

 ing- are the t-haracters of the tiiammee-sapota : Calyx eight or nine ronndish leaves, 

 placed scalewise, the e>;terior ones the smallest, increasmu- in size inwards, the inter- 

 nal ones coloured ; corolla monopetalons and beli-shapod, longer than tne cup, it has. 

 live divisions, somewhat eniargined, roundibli, coneave and erect ; at the base of each 

 division is a subulated denticle, in size and form resembling the stamei>s. Stamei^s 

 ate five subulated fiiameiUs, pLced alternate with the denticles, and shorter tnan thu 

 corolla-, anthers sagiitated and versatde ; germ ovate, striated and hairy, and, v.hea 

 :cut, appears to have five cells, containing one seed ; the style is subulated, equalling 

 the corolla in length ; the stigma obtuse. The ripe fruit has seld(jin more than one 

 seed, rarely iwo, the other ceils b^ing obliterated. 



This tree has a straight trunk, thirty feet high, and about a foot in diameter ; bark 

 i\sh-colourcd, furrowed, and rough. 7'he brancheN are equally sprir ad, shooting ab iij 

 -twelve feet from the ground, and throwing out regular risuig branchlcts, in circie^, at 

 Cf^ual distances, whose ends are covered with leaves set all round, withcuTt any order, 

 standing on inch-long round petioles ; they ai-efrom ten inches to afoot long, revo- 

 ]ate, narrow at the base, and widening to the end, where they are rjunded, and about 

 four inches broad ; the miil-rib is very strong, as well as the nerves, which are some- 

 times op])Obite, sotiieiiraes alternate, and numerous. The whole tree has^ pyramidal 

 iippearance The Howers come out from the branches, and are of 4i cream-colour. 

 The Iruit is four or five inches in diameter, tapering to both ends, covered witli a 

 rough russet-coloured bark. The pulp i-s dark yellowish, soft, sweet, tasting not unlike 

 a very ripe Enghsh pear, to which it is also somewhat similar in consistence. ^It makes 

 excellent marmalade, which, being binding and astringent, is recommended in fluxes. 

 The stones, when ..istilled, ijive to spirits a ratafia flavour ; and they are a pleasant in- 

 gredient in making the cordial called iwveaur. Bruised and infused in rum, they con- 

 .tribute to give it an agreeable tiavour. The fruit eaten raw iiS of an aperient quality. 



TJiis is a very beautiful tree, full of fine branches and long gren leaves, but seldom 

 grows above fifteen or twenty feet high. Its fruit is aimostas big, and in shape of, a 

 man's heart, only a little longer, and sliarper at tho lower end; the outside is of a 

 brown or russet colour, and very rough ; the inside is of a darkidi-red soft pulp, and 

 luscious eating, like a mamulet ; in which are contained two, sometimes three, long 

 cones or stones, thick in the middle, and sharp at both ends, one side rough, and 

 would make good nutmeg-graters, antl the other side smooth, black, ami shining as 

 "'oostjible, It is said, those that plant the stone or set;! of these trees never live long 

 ^ enouj^ 



