THE PAPAW TRIBE. 109 



" What a convenient tree that would be for our 

 kitchen garden !" said Mary. 



" Still more strange is it," continued her father, 

 " that old hogs and poultry, when fed on its leaves, 

 become also tender, and fit for the purposes of the 

 table, in the course of a few hours." 



" We really ought to have it in England," said 

 Henry. " If it would not bear our cold winters, 

 we could keep it in a hothouse, and it would be 

 worth the trouble." 



"Perhaps its curious properties would be lost 

 under artificial cultivation," said his father ; " and 

 at any rate there would be disagreeable effects 

 to set against the convenience of having such a 

 tree." 



" How so, papa ?" 



"The roots of this tree have a most disgusting 

 and overpowering smell, like decaying animal 

 matter, and the blossoms also have a disagreeable 

 odour. The juice, when analysed, greatly resem- 

 bles animal albumen, dissolving like it in water. 

 Fibrin, a principle which is considered peculiar to 

 the animal kingdom, is found in this tribe,, and also 

 in the fungus tribe, which causes both tribes to 

 be peculiarly interesting to those who love to 



