CASHEW-NUT. 73 



before the fruit itself, growing at the end in the shape of 

 a kidney, as big as a walnut. Some of the fruit are all 

 red, some entirely yellow, and some mixed with both 

 red and yellow, and others perfectly white, of a very 

 pleasant taste in general ; but there is- a great variety, 

 some being more sharp, some in taste resembling cherries, 

 others very rough like unripe apples. The taste of most 

 of them is sweet and pleasant, but generally goes off with 

 an astringency or stipticity upon the tongue, which pro- 

 ceeds from its tough fibres, that run longwise through the 

 fruit. When cut with a knife, it turns as black as ink. 

 The generality of the fruit are as big and much of the 

 shape of the French Pippins, and make an excellent cider 

 or wine." Barham adds, that he has distilled a spirit 

 from the nut far exceeding arrack, rum, or brandy, of 

 which an admirable punch is made. 



The flowers are very small, grow in tufts of a carnation 

 colour, and are very odoriferous. The leaves much re- 

 semble those of the common walnut-tree in shape and 

 smell, and a decoction of them is equally effectual in 

 cleansing and healing old wounds. 



The oil cures the herpes, takes away freckles and liver 

 spots, but draws blisters, and therefore must be cautiously 

 used ; it also takes away corns, but it is necessary to 

 have a very good defensive round the corn to prevent 

 inflaming the part. The inside kernel is very pleasant to 

 eat when young, and, before the fruit is too ripe, exceed- 

 ing any walnut ; and when older and drier, roasted, is 

 very agreeable, excelling pistachio nuts or almonds ; and 

 ground up with cocoa, makes an excellent chocolate. 



It has been observed, that poor dropsical slaves, who 

 have had the liberty to go into a cashew-walk, and eat 

 what cashews they pleased, as well as to eat the roasted 

 nuts, have been recovered. These trees are of quick 

 growth : Barham says he has planted the nuts, and the 



