MONKEY'S BREAD, 



375 



Monkey's Bread — Adansonia digitata. 



This tree is a native of the western coast of Africa, 

 and also of Egypt. In the former country it is de- 

 scribed by Adanson as being a tree of large dimen- 

 sions and singular economy. The trunks were about 

 twelve or fourteen feet high, but of the vast circum- 

 ference of sixty or seventy feet. The lateral branches 

 were forty or fifty feet long, of the thickness of a 

 great tree, and with their remote branches touching 

 the ground ; while some of the roots that had been 

 laid bare were upwards of a hundred feet long, and 

 even then were not exposed for their whole length. 

 The fruit is from nine to twelve inches long, and 

 about four in diameter, of a brownish colour, and 

 rather pointed toward the extremities. The pulp is 

 a little farinaceous, mixed with fibres : when recent, 

 it has a very refreshing, acid taste ; and eaten with 

 sugar, it is both pleasant and wholesome. It retains 

 its cooHng qualities when dry ; and, on that account, 

 the physicians of Cairo administer it in fevers and 

 ether diseases. 



