229 
It thus turns out that a number of trees could be found at Pasir 
Oetjing, which had another origin than the common type in Java 
and the phesgreuee of which was slightly different, while the yield 
was poor. Ifa name ought to be given to this “ variety ” we must 
eall it * w hite,” not * black.” 
Yours very truly, 
vaAN Haut. 
— Lumpur, 
9th May, 1913. 
STR, 
Wirt reference to my letter of the 27th instant, Dr. van Hall 
py ela me "that the Pasir Oetjing trees are 13 years not 8 years 
I am, &e., 
L. Lewton BRAIN, 
XXXVIII.—VARIETIES OF PLANTAINS AND BANANAS 
CULTIVATED IN SEYCHELLES. 
The following account of the varieties of Plantains and Bananas 
cultivated in the Seychelles has been received om Mr. P. R. 
Duront, Curator of the Botanic Station, Seychelles :— 
There are so many Africans among the labouring bigs a of the 
community that banana cultivation has spread all over the Archi- 
pelago ; and in many localities, banana eaters, as ee” “APChis are 
sometimes called, have developed the culture of this plant to such 
an extent, that one can say that it ranks in production next to the 
coconut in Seychelles. 
The following are the varieties generally cultivated : 
1, The Chinese banana (Musa Cavendishi?) called locally “ banane 
gabou,” which is eaten raw. It is planted in depressions of ground 
where moisture accumulates, and will not stand stiff laterite soil. 
It is attacked by the weevil (Sp horus striatus). This is the 
only type of dwarf banana planted i in Seychelles. Among the tall 
plantains (so called), there are several varieties which are eaten raw 
in the ripe state, although most of them are eaten tegrias ee . 
unripe. The three following varieties are never eaten raw; and, 
when prepared in coconut milk, are considered a Gatiogily en even by 
Europeans and other residents. 
These three varieties belong to ae Congo type, and two of them 
were coated two years ago for the production of banana flour. 
Nos. 3 and 4 are different from N o. 2 which always possesses the 
Pp 
fruit stalk. This is the best of the type. Nos. 3 and 4, Banane 
St. Jacques and Simeroé are very nearly allied species and are 
distinguished from No, 2. principally by the absence of the terminal 
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