PINE- APPLE. ] 63 



displaying themselves in contrast with the vivid 

 green of the vegetation that surrounds them. 



Pines grow profusely either wild or cultivated. 

 The plant which produces the pine-apple, so called 

 from its resemblance to the cones of the European 

 Pine, often rises about three feet in height, termi- 

 nated by a dazzling crimson-coloured flower. Nes- 

 ted in the centre of the flower, appears a little 

 greenish-looking apple, and as this increases, the 

 lustre of the flower begins to fade, and the leaves 

 expand, as if to form for it a base or ornament. 

 As the apple still continues to grow on, a crown 

 of beautifully- tinted leaves adorns the head, which 

 gradually enlarges, till the fruit attains perfec- 

 tion. But no sooner does the crown cease to grow, 

 than the fruit begins to ripen, and its greenish 

 tint soon changes to a bright straw colour. Then 

 also, does it first acquire that delightful fragrance 

 which often discovers its place of growth, though 

 concealed from the eye by arborescent ferns, or 

 closely-matted creepers. Prying monkeys love this 

 delicious fruit; squirrels also would seek to regale 

 themselves with its refreshing juices, and in so doing 

 they would not wait till it was fully ripe. But 

 the Pine Apple is guarded with small thorns, 

 which effectually repel them. "When it is fit to gather, 

 these dry and soften, and the fruit is easily obtained. 

 The crown, which formed a kind of apex, becomes 

 itself, when sown, a new plant, and the rind, infused 

 in water, produces a cooling liquor, which possesses all 

 the properties of the fruit. Guayabas, also, graceful 

 and fragrant plants; Guineos and Papagas resem- 

 bling lemons, Guanabanas, Melons, Sapotes, and 



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