IN PRAISE OF THE PAPAW 195 



morning, for the papaw is essentially a breakfast fruit, and 

 then when the knife slides into the buff-coloured flesh of a 

 cheesy consistency, minute colourless globules exude from 

 the facets of the slices. These glistening beads are emblems 

 of perfection. Plentiful dark seeds adhere to the anterior 

 surface. Some take their papaw with the merest sensation 

 of salt, some with sugar and a drop or two of lime or lemon 

 juice ; some with a few of the seeds, which have the flavour 

 of nasturtium. The wise eat it with silent praise. In 

 certain obvious respects it has no equal. It is so clean ; 

 it conveys a delicate perception of musk sweet, not florid ; 

 soft, soothing and singularly persuasive. It does not cloy 

 the palate, but rather seductively stimulates the appetite. 

 Its effect is immediately comforting, for to the stomach 

 it is pleasant, wholesome, and helpful. When you have 

 eaten of a papaw in its prime, one that has grown without 

 check or hindrance, and has been removed from the tree 

 without bruise or blemish, you have within you pure, good 

 and chaste food, and you should be thankful and of a glad- 

 some mind. Moreover, no untoward effects arise from 

 excess of appetite. If you be of the fair sex your 

 eyes may brighten on such diet, and your complexion 

 become more radiant. If a mere man you will be the 

 manlier. 



So much on account of the fruit. Sometimes the seeds 

 are eaten as a relish, or macerated in vinegar as a condiment, 

 when they resemble capers. The pale yellow male flowers, 

 immersed in a solution of common salt, are also used to 

 give zest to the soiled appetite, the combination of 

 flavour being olive-like, piquant and grateful. The seeds 

 used as a thirst-quencher form component parts of a drink 

 welcome to fever patients. The papaw and the banana in 

 conjunction form an absolutely perfect diet. What the 

 one lacks in nutritive or assimilative qualities the other 

 supplies. No other food, it is asserted, is essential to 

 maintain a man in perfect health and vigour. Our fictitious 

 appetites may pine for wheaten bread, oatmeal, flesh, fish, 

 eggs, and all manner of vegetables, but given the papaw 



