ch. xv.] Onion Fruit and Bananas. 321 



gent pulp which surrounds the seeds of several species of 

 " rattan " palms is occasionally eaten for medicinal pur- 

 poses. Perhaps one of the most singular of all wild 

 fruits, however, is the " Bawang utan," or wild onion 

 fruit, which is not unlike a walnut in general appearance, 



ONION FRUIT. 



but which is impregnated with such a decided alliaceous 

 principle that a small portion of it grated forms an ex- 

 cellent substitute for the real esculent itself. Scientifi- 

 cally it is known as Scorodoprasum borneense. The foliage 

 and branches of this tree when broken or bruised give off 

 a strong alliaceous odour. 



Last on my list, but by no means least amongst the 

 tropical fruits of Eastern gardens comes the " pisang," or 

 banana, which here, as elsewhere wherever it is cultivated, 

 is represented by many varieties, which differ in size of 

 fruit, flavour, and other particulars. One of the most 

 common varieties met with in the bazaars is "pisang 

 amas," or golden banana, the individual fruits of which 

 are small, but of a bright golden colour and of excellent 



