CHAP. II. DESSERT FRUITS. 173' 



was introduced by Dr. Wallich, all the plants here of the 

 Arabian Date are small, but remarkably healthy." * 



Mr. W. Coldstreain states, that " in the Muzaffagarh district 

 this tree does not grow abundantly in the sandy tracts, but 

 flourishes on its borders in the most wretched soil ; and where 

 hardly any other vegetable exists it is often found in luxu- 

 rient groves. The produce varies much according to the soil in 

 which it is rooted. The large succulent head of the palm, cut 

 out from among the mass of the leaves at the top of the tree, is 

 commonly eaten, and is esteemed a delicacy."t 



Mr. M. P. Edgeworth states that " the true Date was intro- 

 duced by the Arabian Caliphs in the ninth century, when they 

 conquered the country. The trees are planted in vast groves 

 very extensive at Dehra Ghazi-Khan beyond the Indus both 

 sides of the Chenab, and up the Ravi. No fruit can be more 

 excellent than they are when fresh." 



" There was one tree at Mooltan which had no stone (bedana), 

 which was in former times considered a royal tree, and the fruit 

 preserved for the reigning sovereign. There used to be some fine 

 true Dates at the Botanical Garden at Saharunpore, which bore 

 well, especially in years when the Eains are late for the fruit is 

 destroyed by rain. That is, I believe, the reason why the true 

 Date cannot flourish in Bengal. It requires a dry climate. 

 There are, or were, true Dates in the Lahore and Uinritsur 

 districts, a few also in the north parts of the Jullundur district. 

 The wild Date was pretty abundant in the Umballah and 

 Shahjehanpore districts. 



" The * Cabbage ' is most excellent either raw or cooked. The 

 fresh fruit makes an admirable pudding, in taste like a plum - 

 pudding, without its richness." J 



BKOMELIACE^E. 



Ananassa sativa. 



PINE- APPLE. 



Ananas. 



The Pine-apple, introduced originally from South America, 

 has long ago become all but naturalised in the lower parts of 



* Journal of the A.-H. Society,' 17th July, 1867. 

 t Ibid. vol. xiii. p. 174. J Ibid., Nov. 20, 18G7. 



