414 THE BREAD-FRUIT TREE. 



of the Laurus cinnamomum which was early transplanted to the 

 neighbouring continent and of the Artocarpus, or Bread-fruit tree, 

 one of the most curious and most useful plants of this region. 



The Bread-fruit Tree (Artocarpus incisa)is a tree of the family 

 Muriacece, some 45 to 55 feet high. Make an incision in its bark, 

 wherever you will, and it exudes a white lacteal fluid, which hardens 



BREAD-FRUIT TREE OF CEYLON (Artocarpus incisa}. 



on exposure to the air. Its branches are very numerous, and those 

 nearest its base attain a considerable length. Its leaves are large, 

 consistent, and somewhat deeply cut. It owes its name of " Bread- 

 fruit tree " to its ovoid or rounded fruit, about the size of an ostrich's 

 egg, which forms the staple food of the Cingalese. When fully ripe, 

 the pulp or flesh is white, firm, farinaceous, and very agreeable to the 



