114 BKITISH HONDURAS. 



(Garcinia mangostana), first in beauty and flavour amongst 

 tropical fruits ; the unique-flavoured Durian (Durio zibethinus), 

 as well as the luscious Cherimoyer of Peru (Anona cherimolia), 

 are also fruits which might be successfully introduced to the 

 colony, and tend to improve the comfort and wealth of the 

 inhabitants. In dry, well-drained situations to the south of 

 Belize, the grape-vine ( Vitis vinifera) is doing remarkably well, 

 and its cultivation might be greatly extended. Among other 

 fruits which might be cultivated are the Bhel (<Sgle marmelos), 

 an East Indian fruit of an exquisite flavour and perfume, which 

 is a specific in most tropical countries for dysentery and diarrhoea; 

 the different varieties of Granadillas, Sweet-cups, Water- 

 melons, &c., obtained from Passion flowers ; the best qualities of 

 Guavas ; the Jew-plum (Spondias dulcis) ; the Para, or Brazil 

 nut (Bertholletia excelsa) ; the Sabucaja nut (Lecythis zabucajo}\ 

 the Ginep (Melicocca bijuga) ; the best varieties of Papaw ( Carica 

 papaya)-, the Tamarind (Tamarindus qfficinalis); the best culti- 

 vated varieties of the Naseberry (Achras sapota) ; the Wampee 

 (Cookia punctata); the Date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera) ; the com- 

 mon Fig (Ficus. carica); the Olive (Olea eruropea), and many 

 other sub-tropical and tropical plants of economic value. 



Of food plants proper, the chief, as already mentioned, is the 

 Maize or Indian corn, which is raised in sufficient quantities for 

 most local demands. On mahogany works, however, the work- 

 people's rations contain nothing raised in the country; but 

 consist, chiefly, of American pork and flour, made into " dough- 

 boys " and " slap-jacks," both- of which might, in a great measure, 

 be replaced by native supplies of yams, sweet potatoes, cocos, 

 pumpkins, bread-fruit, red and white peas (beans), cassava, 

 gungo or pigeon-peas, &c. Of yams (Dioscorea) there are under 

 cultivation, the -negro yam, afou, white or buckra yam, and 

 cassada yam. These require a warm, dry soil, on newly-cleared, 



