THE TROPICAL ZONE. 211 



one of the many large trees allied to the Nettle tribe (Urti- 

 cacece] . It is about the size of a Horse-chestnut, and its 

 leaves, which are nearly a foot and a half long, are very 

 much like immense fig-leaves. The fruit, in size and shape, 

 is not unlike a kind of melon. It is rough on the outside, 

 and of a greenish colour, but the pulp in the inside is white 

 or yellowish, and of the consistence of new bread; it is 

 roasted before it is eaten, but has little or no flavour. Bo- 

 tanists describe the fruit as being ' ' nothing more than a 

 gigantic Mulberry (the Mulberry being also allied to the 

 Nettle family, and consequently a near relation), in which 

 farinaceous matter has taken the place of sugar and vegetable 



jelly." 



An ingredient used in a very nice confection which the 

 Otaheitans make not unlike blanc-rnange is described as 

 " looking like the flour of wheat," but is most likely some 

 of the "farinaceous matter" contained in the Breadfruit. 

 The recipe for this Otaheitan blanc-mange is short and 

 simple, and in cooking-book phrase would run thus : " To 

 make an Otaheitan Blanc-mange. Take a proper quantity 

 of flour, mix in as much cocoa-nut milk as is sufficient, add 

 a few hot stones, and stir the whole till it becomes a thick 



jelly" 



