CHAP. II. DESSERT FRUITS. 181 



Musa Chinensis. 



CAVENDISH PLANTAIN. 



A very delicious Plantain, of rich and peculiar flavour. 



The plant may be recognised in a moment by its dwarf and 

 compact form, not growing to above half the height that other 

 kinds do, and bearing very large, wide, thick, dark-green 

 leaves, which lie closely one upon the other. The fruit is 

 borne in enormous bunches, is about teri inches long, of moderate 

 and uniform thickness, and ripens of a pea-green colour. It is 

 exceedingly difficult to obtain in perfection, as it is uneatable 

 till quite ripe, and on its becoming ripe commences almost 

 immediately to decay. Its English name was given it by Sir J. 

 Paxton, in honour of the Duke of Devonshire. 



Musa Arakanensis. 



ARRACAN PLANTAIN. 



On sending plants of this species to the Agri-Horticultural 

 Society some years ago, Captain Kipley observed: "If well 

 manured the fruit of this tree is one of the best Plantains there 

 is ; the old trees yield particularly fine fruit." 



Arracan seems to be especially rich in the variety of Plan- 

 tains it produces, for, besides the above, Captain Kipley sent to 

 the Society in September of 1857 as many as eighteen kinds, of 

 eleven of which he wrote in high commendation. But whether 

 from inattention, or from their being unsuited to the climate, 

 I found, on inquiry in 1861, that the whole had perished. I 

 subjoin the names, with Captain Kipley's remarks : 



1. Hpeegyan: has a thick rind of a darkish brown, is a very 

 pleasant fruit, being of a mellow subacid flavour. 



2. Thenasia : a small-sized fruit, but of excellent flavour. 



3. Beela : a good Plantain. 



4. Nathdboo : this is a very luscious fruit. 



5. Byat Taus : is a large, well-flavoured fruit. 



6. Gyeeswe : the Hog-deer's Tooth, is a long thin Plantain of 

 good flavour. 



7. Moungbya : is much liked ; it has a pleasant sub-acid flavour. 

 The skin is of a dead white, and very thick. 



8. Peemwe: also a sweet, well-flavoured fruit. 



