CHAP. II. DESSERT FRUITS. 205 



quantity of sharp-flavoured juice it contains. In my opinion a 

 very poor and valueless fruit; but under good cultivation it 

 might possibly prove far different. 



MALPIGHIAOE^E. 



Malpighia glabra. 



BARBADOES CHERRY. 



Sir K. Schomburgk says : 



" The fruit is much used in Barbadoes in preserves and tarts, 

 and there is something in the taste reminds rather of the .Raspberry 



than of the Cherry It bears eatable fruit, in appearance 



and size resembling Mayduke Cherries, but, though juicy and 

 sweet, in every respect inferior to M. urens : the fruit of this may 

 be likened to common wild Cherries of our plantations." * 



Both the above species are very common in the gardens about 

 Calcutta, thriving well, and forming very handsome flowering 

 shrubs. M. glabra bears in the Cold season a few scattered 

 bright-red fruits, somewhat like Mayduke Cherries it is true, 

 but very small ones. Such as I have eaten I have found to be 

 mere worthless berries, pithy, tasteless, and juiceless. 



CLUSIACE.E. 

 Mammea Americana.' 



MAMMEE- APPLE. 



A large timber-tree, native of the West Indies. 

 The fruit Dr. Lindley mentions as " the wild Apricot of South 

 America, said to rival the Mangosteen." It is described as 



" Yellow, not unlike, either in shape or size, one of the largest 

 russet Apples. The outer rind, which easily peals off, is thick and 

 leathery ; beneath this is a second very delicate coat, which 

 adheres closely to the pulp, and should be carefully removed before 

 eating the fruit, as it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. The 

 seeds, of which there are two or three in the centre, are resinous 

 and very bitter ; but the pulp under the skin, which when ripe is 



* Paxton's ' Flower Garden/ ii. 18. 



