NEGRO VILLAGES. 257 



fence, being absolutely impenetrable ; when not in 

 flower or fruit it can hardly be distinguished from 

 the Pine-apple, but is more vigorous and formidable, 

 the recurved spines with which the edges of the long 

 leaves are set being exceedingly sharp, and inflicting 

 terrible scratches. When flowering in March it is a 

 beautiful object ; the central leaves being of the most 

 brilliant glossy vermilion, and the thick spike of 

 blossom of a delicate pink- white. This is replaced 

 by a dense head of hard woody capsules, not united 

 into a compound succulent fruit as in the Pine-apple, 

 but separate, though closely packed. They contain 

 an acid juice, which is pleasant to moisten the lips or 

 tongue, but is found to be acrid and caustic if used in 

 any quantity. 



The picturesque beauty of which I have spoken as 

 characterizing the peasants' hamlets does not depend 

 on the habitations themselves ; these are small huts, 

 generally made of wattle, or hurdle-work, and 

 thatched with the fronds of some of the Palms. But 

 it is in the variety and grandeur of the various trees 

 in which they are embowered. It so happens that 

 the tropical trees most valued for their fruit are also 

 eminently conspicuous for beauty. The Papaw, 

 whose large fruit has the singular property of render- 

 ing tender the toughest meat with a few drops of its 

 juice, and the Cocoa-nut which supplies meat and 

 drink, are fine examples of tall and slender grace. 

 The glossy evergreen of all the Citron tribe, from the 

 great Shaddock to the little Lime, — how beautifully 

 it throws out into relief the noble golden fruit, or 

 serves as a ground for the delicately white blossoms, 



