TROPICAL FRUITS, FOR LOW ELEVATIOXS 145 



The tree has been introduced at Peradeniya in 1880, and, 

 notwithstanding' the indifferent ground chosen for it when first 

 planted out, appears to find here a congenial home. It is now 

 about 60 ft. high, and produces at the top each year, in the dry 

 season, large erect racemes of white Mowers, followed a few months 

 later by a number of large brown round fruits, which hang on the 

 tree for some months after ripening. RIDLEY records similar 

 success with the tree at Singapore, where it was introduced in 1881. 

 Each fruit is from 4 to 6 inches in diameter, with a hard, brown 

 woody shell, which has to be sawn or broken with an axe in order 

 to obtain the nuts (seeds). In the interior, closely packed, are 

 from 10 to 12 large angular seeds with a brown horny testa ; these 

 are the "Brazil-nuts" of commerce, which form an important 

 article of export from their native country, being largely used for 

 dessert in Europe, America, etc. The tree may be propagated by 

 seed or gootee (layering), and thrives best on a rich alluvial soil, in 

 a hot and moist climate (See illustration). 



Blighia sapida, Cupania edulis (Sapindaceae). " Akee."- 

 A fairly large spreading tree, native of West Tropical Africa, intro- 

 duced and cultivated to some extent in the West Indies for the 

 sake of its edible fruit. The latter is of the size and form of a 

 small lemon or pear, about 3 inches in length, and bright red when 

 ripe. The seeds, of which two or three are in a fruit, are jet-black 

 and of the size of small marbles. The edible portion is the firm, 

 cream-coloured fat-like substance (tirit), developed in a succulent 

 socket around the base of the seed. This is generally cooked, but 

 may also be eaten raw, and is considered delicious when par-boiled 

 with salt, and stewed or fried with butter. The fruit when ripe 

 splits open, and must then be picked, as on long exposure to the 

 air the aril becomes discoloured and unfit for food. Between the 

 two lobes of aril there is a pink integument ; this must be removed 

 when preparing the aril for eating, as it is considered highly 

 poisonous. The tree is suited to the moist or semi -dry low- 

 country up to about 2,000 ft. There is a tree in the garden at 

 "Temple Trees," Colombo, which bears fruit freely twice a year, 

 chiefly in April and September. The tree may also be found in 

 some Indian Gardens, but so far as I know the fruit is never eaten 

 in Ceylon or India. Propagated from seed or by gootee, or some- 

 times by suckers. 



Buchanania latifolia (Anacardiacea;). " Cheronjee." A 

 moderate-sized tree, attaining about 30 ft. in height, and bearing 



