159 



It is a well known fact that this fruit loses its 

 astringency by being allowed to remain a Umg 

 time upon the tree ; but in this country they pre- 

 tend that the autumnal rains and the slight 

 white frosts of that season are necessary to per- 

 fect it. There is likewise a particular species of 

 the quince, improperly called lucuma. The 

 fruit is very different from that of the real lu- 

 cuma, and is always, sweet, of a conical shape, 

 and in a small degree umbilical ; the skin, as well 

 as the pulp, is of an orange colour, and tlietree 

 is a real quince tree. 



The peaches amount to fourteen species, and 

 frequently produce fruit of more than sixteen 

 ounces weiglit. Among the duracuies, that kind 

 called in the country albcrcliigos, is the most ia 

 estimation ; the fruit is Icirge and very excellent, 

 tlic pulp is of a reddiih white, and the stone per- 

 fectly red. The tree, like the fig, bears twice a 

 year ; in the month of Janizary it yields large 

 a,nd pulpy peaches, and in April a small fruity 

 resemblinii," the almond, of a delicious taste, 

 called aliucndrucjios. The pears and cherries 

 [)roduce also twice a year, but the latter growth 

 rarely obtains perfect maturity.* Oranges, le- 



The fruit trees brovigUt troai Europe thrive very well in 

 That'coLUitry, whose climate is .^o I'.ivoiuable as rcs;)ects vege- 

 tation tliat the trees bear fruit thoie the uiiole year. I have 

 rVt-quently seen in the same oi\:;:;iic', v.hcil is common in or,.ii- 

 vjeries, the tVuit in all states, i;i !ltc l>a;h in liower, green, and 

 ;>e:l'e(;llv ri|)e at the *a ne Unv:. Fr^zicr'j -''oyagi', vol, i. 



