TROPICAL FRUITS, FOR LOU' ELEl'ATIOXS 135 



The crusted shell of the nut is acrid and poisonous. All parts of 

 the fruit are of various uses in medicine. An intoxicating beverage 

 ("Kaju"), largely consumed by the Natives in parts of Eastern 

 Tropical Africa, is made from the fleshy receptacle. The tree 

 yields a gum which is obnoxious to insects and is recommended 

 for book-binding. The juice obtained from incisions in the bark 

 forms an indelible ink. The tree thrives best in the low-country 

 up to 1,500 ft. Adapted for moderately dry districts, especially 

 near the sea. Propagated from seeds or by layering. 



Ananas sativus (Bromeliaceae). Pine-apple; "Anasi" S. 

 A perennial stemless plant, with long narrow fibrous and usually 





PLANTATION OF "KK\V" PIXE-APPLKS. 



spiny leaves, native of Tropical America, introduced into all warm 

 countries, and extensively cultivated in South America, West Indies, 

 Cuba, Hawaiian Islands, Queensland, etc. The fruit is borne by a 

 rigid stout stalk issuing from the centre of the plant ; the latter 

 dies after maturing the fruit, being reproduced by suckers thrown 

 out from the base. In a state of nature the pine-apple is generally 

 an epiphyte or "air-feeder," i.e., living in the forks of trees or on 

 rocks ; but in cultivation partial shade and a sheltered situation are 

 necessary in order to produce the best crops. In Florida, where 

 pines are cultivated extensively as an industry, the plants are grown 

 chiefly under the shade of lightly constructed sheds. Pine-apples 



