CHAPTER IX. 



Fruits common to most countries within or near the tropics. Plantain, 

 or Banana; Tamarind; Guava. Fruits of Africa. Akee ; Negro 

 Peach ; Monkey's Bread. 



THE plantain, or banana (though they are thought 

 by some to be distinct species), are generally spoken 

 of together, as having more points of resemblance 

 than of dissimilarity. They grow in the same re- 

 gions, and are applied to the same uses. 



THE PLANTAIN Musa paradisiaca. 



The Plantain is of considerable size : it rises with 

 a herbaceous stalk, about five or six inches in dia- 

 meter at the surface of the ground, but tapering 

 upwards to the height of fifteen or twenty feet. The 

 leaves are in a cluster at the top ; they are very large, 

 being about six feet long and two feet broad : the 

 middle rib is strong, but the rest of the leaf is tender, 

 and apt to be torn by the wind. The leaves grow 

 with great rapidity after the stalk has attained its 

 proper height. The spike of flowers rises from the 

 centre of the leaves to the height of about four feet. 

 At first the flowers are enclosed in a sheath, but, as 

 they come to maturity, that drops off". The fruit is 

 about an inch in diameter, eight or nine inches long, 

 and bent a little on one side. As it ripens it turns 

 yellow ; and when ripe, it is filled with a pulp of a 

 luscious sweet taste. 



