Fruits 



277 



Slereographic Copyright, Underwood & Underwood, London and New York 



CALIFORNIA. THE SHADDOCK GRAPE FRUIT 



, The Soursop (Anona muricata), Cherimoyer {A: Cherimolia), Sweet-sop or Custard Apple 

 (A. squamosa), and Bullock's Heart (A. reticulata)" are all small trees or shrubs, natives of 

 South America, and now cultivated for their fruits in the West and East Indies, and other 

 tropical countries. The fruits of all are large, with white or yellowish pulp, very juicy, with 

 pleasant acid taste. The quality of these fruits varies in different lands, some being more 

 appreciated than others. (See illustrations on p. 70 and p. 266.) ) 



Avocado Pear (Persa gratissima) is a common tree in tropical America and the West 

 Indies, where it attains the height of from twenty-five to thirty feet. The flesh surrounding 

 the stone is yellow and green, soft, and buttery, with a delicious flavour. The fruits are 

 usually eaten raw with pepper and salt, or lime juice. 



The Papaw (Carica Papaya) is native of South America, but is now cosmopolitan in the 

 tropics. The tree is of rapid growth and will thrive in almost any soil. The flavour is 

 similar to that of a melon and the fruit is most wholesome. 



The Guava (Psidium Guaiava) and the Purple Guava (P. cattleyanum) are well-known 

 tropical fruits. Both are natives of the West Indies and tropical America. They are eaten 

 raw and make very good jelly or preserve. 



Litchis, occasionally sold in shops in this country, are the dried fruits of Nephelium Litchi, 

 a tree wild and cultivated in the warmer parts of China, and in Cochin China and Malaya. 

 When fresh the fruits are very luscious. They are also canned and exported from Hongkong. 



Almonds. The Almond tree (Prunus Amygdalus) grows to the height of about twenty feet, 

 and has leaves similar to the peach, but larger flowers. A native of Persia, Asia Minor, Syria, 

 and Algeria, it is now widely spread in the warm temperate parts of the Old World. It is 

 largely cultivated in the Mediterranean region, notably Spain, Italy, and Morocco, for the 

 kernels of its seeds, which constitute the almonds of commerce. 



