CHAP. IT. DESSERT FRUITS. 201 



The fruit is a berry about the size of a Pea, with a stone in 

 the centre, sour and uneatable, but a sherbet is made from it 

 considered agreeable by some. The fruit is produced during 

 the Hot months. 



Grewia sapida. 



This also, like the last, produces during the Hot season its 

 crop of berries, sometimes used for making sherbet. 



SAPINDACEJS. 



Blighia sapida. 



AKEE. 



A large tree, native of Western Africa. The fruit is of the 

 size and form of a small Lemon, somewhat ribbed, and when 

 ripe of a brilliant vermilion colour. Though much eaten, and 

 held in high esteem in the West Indies, it is never, that I can 

 learn, eaten in this country. Sir J. Paxton declares it to be 

 " not much inferior to a Nectarine in flavour." Don says that in 

 Guinea the tree " is greatly esteemed for the excellence of its 

 fruit, which is of a grateful sub-acid flavour." It appears, however, 

 to be treated rather as a vegetable than as a fruit, according to 

 the description given of it by Dr. Macfadyen, who says : 



" The fruit is brought in great abundance to the Kingstown 

 market. The arillus, which supports the seed, is the part which 

 is eaten. It is prepared "ky parboiling in water with salt, and 

 afterwards stewing or frying with butter, or by simply boiling in 

 soup. It is very wholesome, and from its soft, rich flavour well 

 deserves the appellation of the Vegetable Marrow." * 



Mr. Leonard Wray also, in presenting seeds to the Agri-Hor- 

 ticultural Society, accompanies them with the remark : 



" Akee, an ornamental small tree, and a delicious vegetable, 

 sometimes eaten raw, but generally fried together with butter and 

 black pepper." 



In the Calcutta Botanical Gardens there are two trees which 

 have grown to a great size, and in the garden of the Bankshall 

 at Calcutta there is also a tree. It appears to have been some- 



* ' Flora of Jamaica,' vol. i. p. 160. 



