BOTANY. 363 



but bearing at the same time a profusion of large and 

 delicious fruit, which is often permitted to fall and 

 decay on the ground, the supply is so much greater 

 than the demand. The orange- tree, as grown in our 

 conservatories,, can give but an inadequate idea of the 

 same species when flourishing in a soil and climate 

 congenial to its habits ; where, growing as a tall and 

 elegant tree, it adorns and perfumes the groves with its 

 chaste and fragrant blossoms, reproduced almost with- 

 out intermission ; or, loaded with golden fruit, presents, 

 where many trees are collected together, a very perfect 

 and pleasing picture of tropical luxuriance. 



It may be supposed, that the yellow colour of the 

 fruit is an indication of its being ripe and eatable, but 

 this is not precisely the fact; for when of mature 

 growth, and in every way fit for the table, it is only the 

 pulp that is yellow, while the rind retains its deep- 

 green colour 5 unless it should be hanging on the bough 

 " dead-ripe," or have been gathered for but a few days, 

 when it assumes its true yellow or orange- colour. The 

 rind of the newly-plucked fruit is thick and crisp, and 

 is loaded with so large a quantity of acrid essential oil, 

 that it is necessary the peel should be entirely removed 

 before the orange is eaten, to avoid an unpleasant 

 irritation, or even excoriation of the lips. 



At Tahiti and Raiatea, of the Society group, the 

 number of wild orange-trees is almost incredible ; and 

 from the report of the residents, has increased greatly 

 within the last twenty years. The natives of Raiatea 

 shewed us an aged example of this tree, which they 

 say was planted by Tooti, or Captain Cook, when that 

 celebrated navigator last visited the island. The Tahi- 

 tian name for both the plant and its fruit is anani. 



By prudent management, the oranges these islands 

 afford may be rendered valuable to shipping engaged 



