24O CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 



time or harvest ; there is no threshing, no grinding, 

 no kneading ; in fact, the islanders of the South Seas 

 have their bread ready prepared, and have only to 

 place it on the coals as they need it. 



In its native islands the tree bears for about eight 

 months in the year. Toward the close of the fruitful 

 period the natives lay the fruit in heaps and cover it 

 with leaves, where it ferments ; the core attached to 

 the stem is then pulled out, and the fruit, placed in a 

 hole, changes from sweet to sour, after which it will 

 keep until another season of fruitage. 



This allusion to the home of the bread-fruit very 

 naturally recalls the story of its introduction into the 

 West Indies — a story romantic, and worthy of fre- 

 quent repetition. In 1797, in answer to a petition from 

 the planters of the West Indies, the armed transport, 

 the " Bounty," was fitted out for Otaheite, commanded 

 by Lieutenant Bligh, who had been around the world 

 with Cook. Her cabin was fitted with a false floor 

 cut full of holes, sufficient to receive one thousand 

 garden-pots. She was victualled for fifteen months, 

 and carried trinkets for trade in the South Sea Islands. 

 After many difficulties, being obliged to abandon the 

 route intended and seek a new one, Lieutenant Bligh 

 reached Otaheite. A tent was erected on shore to 

 receive the trees, some thirty of which were potted 

 every day. 



On the 4th of April, 1789, the " Bounty " set sail, with 

 one thousand roots in pots, tubs, and boxes. On the 

 27th broke out the mutiny which has become a matter 

 of history. Lieutenant Bligh, with eighteen others, 

 was placed in the launch, which was cut loose with 

 one hundred and fifty pounds of bread, twenty-eight 



