185 



paya." The term "papaw," though sometimes applied to several 

 species, almost universally means the Carica Papaya. 



Among the names by which botanists have designated this plant 

 are the following : Papaya fructu melopeponis, Tournefort ; Papaya 

 Carica, Gaertn ; P. lyatira, Tuss ; P. vulgaris, A. D. 0. ; P. Orientales 

 Col. ; Carica Papaya, L. : C. Maniaya, Yell. 



The Carica Papaya may, in brief, be described as follows : 



A single, supple, slim, straight stalk, terminating in a group of 

 large leaves which are arranged in the form of an umbrella, branch- 

 ing only when its growth is interfered with. Cultivated plants attain 

 the height of from ] to 30 feet ; wild varieties push up to 60 or even 

 to 100 feet. Near the base of mature trees the diameter ranges from 6 

 inches to 1 foot. In a j'oung plant the stalks consist of a cellular 

 pith filled with water ; in a matured tree that portion of the trunk 

 immediately under the bark is fibrous for a few inches, followed by a 

 soft inner layer of an inch or more, terminating in the central portion 

 which is hollow. At intervals through the hollow centre are seen 

 iiicmbranous tissues dividing the cavities into sections, and in the 

 rainy season, for a considerable height up the trunk, this central ca- 

 vity is filled with water. The wood of the papaw is soft, white and 

 spongy ; cuts easier than a potato ; is full of water, decays rapidly, 

 and is not useful for any purpose. The trunk is covered with a gray 

 (green at the top) smooth, tough bark laid on in folds, which at inter- 

 vals form ringes. 



A large turnip-shaped tap root reaches down to seek nourishment 

 and to give stability to the tree. These roots are similiar in structure 

 to the trunk, except for a white bark, and possess an odour of cabbage 

 and a peculiar taste suggesting radishes. The leaf stems are large 

 and hollow, cylindrical toward the leaf and flattened at the point 

 where they join with the stalk. The leaves are large palm-lobed, with 

 somewhat deep indentations, dark green on the upper and light green 

 on the under side They are short-lived and, as the tree shoots up- 

 ward, they drop off, leaving scarry marks in the bark of the tree 

 trunk. 



The locality where grown, as well as the effects of cultivation, 

 modify the character of this plant, hence we find on record varying 

 descriptions and statements. Among the notable varieties of the Ca- 

 rica Papaya are the green and violet. The latter species which has 

 had considerable attention paid to it, is the one most highly esteemed 

 for cultivation, but does not attain great height. The stalk and limb 

 portion of the leaves are violet colour. The fruit is large, often 

 weighing as high as 20 pounds, and when ripe is very sweet. While 

 young the trees are kept shady, and pruned to prevent their growing 

 tall. To encourage fruit, portions of the flowers are picked off ; the 

 smaller fruits are removed when green, so that the remainder will 

 grow larger and stronger. By cultivation a dwarf variety (*'lechoso 

 enana") is produced. The green Carica grows to greater height than 

 the purple ; its fruits are smaller and possess a less agreeable flavour. 

 The three forms of flower present in the papaw are, according to the 

 native description, classified as varieties. The so-called female trees 

 bear only fruiting flowers and produce the largest fruit and the 

 greatest numbers. These flowers are single, with a yellow (or purple) 



