384 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



it grows readily from the kernel, and is often culti- 

 vated in clumps. 



THE CUSTARD APPLE JLnona muricata Anona. 

 squamosa. 



Ten or twelve species of the custard-apple are 

 enumerated. They are natives of the tropical parts 

 of Africa, Asia, and America; but the better sorts 

 are more abundant in the latter part of the globe. 



The Sour sop, rough custard- apple (jthuma muri- 

 cata*), is a middle-sized tree, growing abundantly on 

 the savannahs in Jamaica; and bearing a large oval 

 fruit of a greenish yellow colour, covered with small 

 knobs on the outside, and containing a white pulp, 

 having a flavour compounded of sweet and acid, 

 and very cooling and agreeable. It is, however, too 

 common to be much esteemed by the wealthier peo- 

 ple, though it is much sought after and relished by 

 the negroes. The odour and taste of the whole plant 

 are very similar to those of the black currant. It 



