Fruits of Cuba. 209 
therefore, the somewhat troublesome qualities of both 
nut and pulp, I should conclude that it is a much better 
fruit to look at than to eat. It is proper to add, how- 
ever, that the pulp makes a good sweetmeat. 
This plant gives its name to the natural order of the 
Anacardiacee, which are distinguished by the acrid 
resin which they secrete; and which is frequently con- 
verted by art into a black varnish. The order is placed 
under the section of the Terebinths, and is made by 
some to include the sumach, pistacia, mango, and one 
or two other genera. 
Ananassa sativa. This is the now well-known 
Anané or Pine apple; a native of tropical America, 
but diffused, as soon as discovered, through the tropical 
regions of Asia and Africa; called by old writers, when 
it was a great rarity, the bids of Fruits, and still wear- 
ing its crown. - 
The enthusiasm arid poetic fire with which it was de- 
scribed when new to the civilized world, is quite amus- 
ing. “It was thought,” says Pomet, “a just appella- 
tion, after Father Du Tertre, to call the Ananas the 
ing of Fruits, because it is much the finest and best 
of all that are upon the face of the earth. It is for this 
reason that the King of Kings has placed a crown upon 
the head of it, which is as an essential mark of its royal- - 
ty ; and at the fall of the father, it produces a young . 
king, that succeeds in all his admirable qualities.” 
And again, speaking of the crown, he says, “ The clus- 
ter of leaves, which is the little crown born upon the 
head, is red as fire.” Grainger designates it thus: 
= reg the sun's child, the mailed Anana yields 
His regal apple to the ravished taste” 
VOL. III.—N0. II. 
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