THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 211 



Citrus aurantium L. (Orange). 

 Citrus racemosus R. & P. (Grapefruit). 

 Citrus decumana Lour. (Shaddock). 

 Citrus spinosissima Meyer (Lime). 

 Citrus limosum Eess. (Lemon). 

 All of the above citrus fruits, except the lemon and shaddock, are com- 

 monly planted and exported in greater or less quantities. Lemons are rarely 

 seen. 



Spondias purpurea L. (Eed Plum). 

 This tree was seen only in Nassau, where its fruit is sold on the streets. 



Mangifera indica L. (Mango). 

 This tree, when the best varieties are secured, yields one of the few 

 tropical fruits of real excellence that is not common in our markets. It is 

 freely planted about Nassau, and may be found on most of the Out-islands. 



Blighia sapida Koen. (Akee). 

 A fine tree, but by no means common in the Bahamas. The fleshy, yellow 

 arillus of the seed is very good when cooked, but over-ripe fruit should be 

 avoided, as it has been known to produce poisoning. 



Melicogca bijuga L. (Genipe). 

 A large tree with compound leaves and plum-like fruits produced in 

 clusters. It is a common plant in Jamaica, but is rare in the Bahamas. We 

 found it escaped in the low coppice east of Nassau. 



Mammee AMERICANA L. (Mammce). 

 A tall, handsome tree, with large russet-colored fruit of rather poor 

 quality. It is not much planted except around Nassau. 



Carica PAPAYA L. (Papaw). 



Plate XXXIII, Fig. 2. 



This interesting plant is often seen in Bahama door-yards, and the 



natives seem fond of its fruit. To most visitors, however, it is far from 



attractive. The juice of the unripe fruit contains a digestive ferment which 



acts on meats and is often employed in place of pepsin. 



