114 TBINIDAD AND TOBAGO BULLETIN. \XVIIL 3. 



surface, divisible into two great Lobes, between which lies the young 

 Sprout or Germen. 



" It is planted and grows everyw'here in this Island. 



" This is accounted one of the wholesomest Fruits of these Countries, 

 not only by Way of Disert, being eat with Juice of Lemons and Sugar to 

 give it a Piquancy, but likewise for supporting Life itself. It is useful 

 not only on these Accounts to Men, but likewise to all Manner of Beasts. 



" It is reckon'd a great Incentive to Venerj', and so says Scaliger. 



" Haivhs ap. Hall. p. 3. p. 464. found this Tree about Mexico. 



" There (in the way between Pannco and Mexico) groweth a Fruit 

 which the Spaniards call Avocottes, it is proportion'd like an Egg, and 

 as black as Coal, having a Stone in it, and it is an excellent good Fruit. 

 Hortop. ap. HaM. p. 3, p. 492. 



" Huqhes, p. 40. tells us that this Fruit nourishes, strengthens, and is 

 Venereal ; and that it is eaten with Vinegar and Pepper. 



'' Chisius describes this Tree with a black Fruit, and 'tis purplish 

 when ripe ; he described the Fruit by Hearsay, the rest well, only it 

 has a pcntapetalous Flower. 



" The Leaves dry,powder'd and strew'd on Wounds, cure Haemorhages, 

 Jo7ist. 



" The Fruit is cat with Salt and Plantain roasted, and is fit to make a 

 Meal of, at Campcche, Cartagena, Caraccas and Jamaica, Dampicr. 



" I believe the Synonimous Names in my Catalogue, p. 185, to belong 

 to this Tree notwithstanding what is said by T)r. Pbchenet, p. 18 of his 

 Mantisfia Heimandcz.fol. SO. descvihes it with many Kernels which may 

 be a Variety." 



In 1756 another physician. Dr. Patrick Browne published TJie Civil 

 and Natural History of .Jamaica with the following note on the Avocado : 

 '•The Avocato, or Alligator pear tree. 



" 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 vieny, and the fruit of tho 

 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 tliat is held 

 in the highest esteem, among all sorts of people in those colonies ; the 

 pulp is of a pretty firm consistence, and has a delicate rich flavour ; it 

 gains upon the palate 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 soui3 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 dog, the cow, 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 reonires som3 care, a rich soil, and a warm situation, to 

 raise it to perfection. It was first introduced there from the continent." 



