CHAP. IT. DESSERT FRUITS. 207 



Xanthochymus pictorius, 

 Toomul, 



A fine handsome tree from thirty to forty feet high ; native of 

 this country ; bears in April rather large white flowers. 



The fruit is remarkably handsome and luring, of the size and 

 form of an Orange, but with surface perfectly smooth like that 

 of a Plum, and of a bright yellow colour. If it were possible by 

 cultivation to subdue its intolerable acidity, it would rank in 

 merit, I consider, with any fruit grown. Don says, " it is not 

 inferior to many Apples ; " but I see no point of similarity in it 

 to suggest such a, comparison. The greatest degree of acidity 

 resides in the thick fleshy rind. The pulpy part in which the 

 seeds are enclosed is less acid, but very acid still ; indeed so 

 much so as to put any one's teeth out of order for a day or two 

 after having partaken of it. Underlying this intense acidity, 

 however, is a fine flavour, resembling, as I think, that of the 

 Apricot. The fruit begins to ripen about the middle of Sep^ 

 tember, when, if not protected, it is greedily devoured by flying 

 foxes. 



I have endeavoured to make a preserve of it, thinking that 

 the acidity might be so far overcome by cooking as to render it 

 agreeable to the palate. But I found that the resinous property 

 with which it abounded made it then quite unfit for eating. 



Calysaccion longifolium. 

 Woondee. 



A small tree remarkable for its fine handsome dense Laurel- 

 like foliage, said to be frequently met with in the Deccan of 

 India, though hardly known in Bengal, except by some two or 

 three thriving specimens in the vicinity of Calcutta. 



The fruit is about the size of an acorn, to which also it is very 

 similar in appearance. It encloses a large stone, between which 

 and the rind is a soft pulpy juice of rosewater-like flavour, con- 

 sidered very agreeable by some. It is not, however, accounted 

 an edible fruit. It ripens about the middle or end of May. 



Easily propagated by sowing the stones. 



