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VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



THE DURION Durio zibethinus. 



The durion, which is pretty generally diffused over 

 the south-east of Asia, is accounted next to the man- 

 gostan ; and, in the opinion of some, is superior to it. 

 However excellent the taste may be, the durion is 

 revolting to those unaccustomed to it ; for it has a 

 strong smell, which is said to arise from sulphuretted 

 hydrogen. Yet this quality is soon forgotten, after 

 the palate becomes familiar with it. Though of the 

 most nutritious quality, and the most dainty taste, 

 the durion never palls upon the appetite or injures 

 the digestion: its effects are directly opposite. 



The tree which produces the durion is about the 

 size, and something in the form, of a pear-tree ; but 

 the leaves are in shape like those of the cherry, only 

 they are entire and smooth at the edges. The flowers 

 are large, and of a yellowish white. The fruit is 

 large, in some of the species as large as a man's 

 head ; and, externally, it is not unlike the bread-fruit. 



