THE MAMMEE. 



381 



ordinary monstrous state of the pine-apple is some- 

 times seen, called " the many-headed pine." It is 

 caused by the plant producinp,- branches bearinf^ fruit 

 at each point where, under common circumstances, 

 it produces single flowers. There are fine s])ecimens 

 preserved in spirits in the Library of the Horticul- 

 tural Society, and the plant itself is in their garden. 



The Mammee — Mainmea Americana. 



The mammee is a native of the West Indies, where 

 it grows to a large tree, sixty or seventy feet in 

 height. It is a handsome, straight-growing tree, 

 with a spi'eading head, and the leaves are oblong 

 and obtuse, with very many fine, closely set, parallel 

 veins. The fruit of the mammee is yellow, not 

 unlike one of the largest russet apples, either in shape 

 or in size. The skin, which easily peels off, and the 

 seeds, of which there are two or three in the centre, 

 are resinous, and very bitter ; but the pulp under the 

 skin, which, when ripe, is of a deep yellow, resem- 

 bling that of the finest apricot, and of considerable 

 consistency, is very fragrant, and has a delicious 

 flavour. To people with weak stomachs it is said to 

 be move delicious than healthful ; but still it is highly 



2 L 



