168 TROPICAL FRUITS 



Lansium domesticum (Meliaceaj). "Langsat," or "Lanseh,' 

 "Duku," (Malayan names). A moderate-sized ornamental tree, native 

 of Malaya. It bears long pendant clusters of closely packed berries, 

 which have a thin tough skin, are pale yellow when ripe, enclosing 

 opaque aromatic juicy pulp. This fruit is said to be much relished 

 in its native country, being " eaten fresh or variously prepared," 

 and DR. WARD described it as one of the finest fruits of the Malayan 

 Peninsula. Judging, however, by the product of a tree growing in 

 Peradeniya Gardens, it by no means justifies so meritorious a de- 

 scription, and I can only suppose that this must be an extremely 

 poor variety. The tree does not seem to be much known in India. 

 Propagated by seed. Will thrive up to 2,000 ft. in moist districts. 

 Introduced at Peradeniya in 1869. 



Lecythis oleracea (Myrtaceae). Sapucaia-nuts. A large forest 

 tree of Brazil and Guiana, closely allied to the Brazil-nut. 

 The long wrinkled nuts (seeds), which are contained in a large 

 brown woody shell, are regarded as superior to the latter 

 in delicacy and flavour. Contrary to the Brazil-nuts, the fruit is 

 furnished with a distinct lid, which when ripe becomes detached 

 and lets the seeds fall out. Owing, therefore, to the difficulty 

 of collecting these, they command a higher price than the 

 Brazil nuts. 



Lucuma mammosa (Sapotaceai). Mammee Sapota ; Mar- 

 malade-fruit ; Sapote, or Grosse-Sapote. A tree 30 to 40 ft. high, 

 with fulvous or grey branches, and long obovate pointed leaves, 

 native of Central America, and cultivated in the West Indies for 

 its fruit. The cream-coloured, silky flowers are borne in clusters 

 on the stem. The fruit is about 6 inches long, with reddish pulp, 

 containing one or more polished seeds. The pulp is sweet, and 

 resembles in taste a luscious pear. It is made into a marmalade, 

 which is said to be not unlike good apple preserve. The common 

 names of this tree are often confused with those of the tree 

 Mamtnea americana, which see over. 



Macadamia ternifolia (Proteaceae). Queensland-nut. A mod- 

 erate-sized tree, about 40 ft. high, with dense dark-green 

 foliage, native of North Eastern Australia. It bears very hard 

 nuts, of the size of marbles, on spikes 5 to 8 inches long ; the nuts 

 are edible and of an agreeable flavour, being much relished in 

 Australia, and sometimes retailed in Sydney at from 8d. to Is. per Ib. 

 The extremely hard shell, which requires a considerable pressure 

 to break, is, however, a drawback to these. The tree is propagated 



