VAKIETIES OF MINOK IMPORTANCE. 



87 



FIG. 41. Outlines of Gasby seed and fruit. 

 (Natural size.) 



in October. The offshoots remain small while attached to the parent 

 tree. Number of offshoots imported, 2. 



GASBY (p. 102) . Fruit about 2 inches long, about two-fifths as wide, 

 oblong, often conspicuously curved, very dark prune purple with a 

 conspicuous bloom when ripe, the surface dull, the skin tough, russet 

 brown where loosened from the flesh; the flesh 1 line thick, dark 

 colored, remaining soft; the slen- 

 der seed not more than three-fifths 

 as long as the fruit, not more than 

 one-third as wide as long, russet 

 brown, often curved. (Fig. 41.) 

 The stalks and branches of the fruit 

 clusters are deep orange colored. 

 The crown of foliage is rather 

 small and delicate, the leaves short, 

 relatively long stalked, the leaflets 

 long. The offshgots remain small while attached to the parent tree. 

 Common in the Jerid. Ripens very early, next after Ammary (see 

 below), it is said; at the end of July, according to Masselot. A 

 handsome, long, slender, dark-colored, generally curved date. 

 Highly esteemed by some of the natives, while others say it is used 

 mostly for making puddings and confectionery. The writer found 

 its flavor, which is of the Lagoo type (see p. 80), rather attractive, 

 suggesting that of raisins. It is said to keep very well. Number of 

 offshoots imported, 19. 



BENT SEGNY (p. 103). Fruit If to 1 inches long, about one-half 

 as wide, inversely egg-shaped, square at base, rounded at the apex, 



keeping its shape poorly when pre- 

 served, very dark (almost black) pur- 

 plish brown when ripe; the flesh 1J 

 lines thick, very dark colored and very 

 soft; the seed about one-half as long as 

 the fruit, two-fifths to one-half as wide 

 as long, rounded at both ends. (Fig. 

 42.) The stalks and branches of the 

 fruit clusters are deep orange colored. 



Rather rare in the Jerid. A very 

 soft, sirupy date, with a pleasant but 

 Ripens about the end of October. Number 



FIG. 42. Outlines of Bent Segny seed 

 and fruit. (Natural size.) 



not remarkable flavor, 

 of offshoots imported, 3. 



AMMARY (p. 103). Fruit 1J to a little over 1J inches long, about 

 one-half as wide, generally inversely egg-shaped, square at the base, 

 rounded at the apex, keeping its shape fairly well when preserved; 

 dark brown purple when ripe ; the flesh 1 to 1J lines thick, very soft 



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