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A - Fruits of. Cuba. 
pas sing through a group of these trees, and the light is 
sla acing from the leaves which are all alive and trem- 
ling ^ir joy, and the nuts are clattering on their stalks 
y almost ar articulately,—it is something to contemplate by 
the hour, and to be o. by the paene. through a 
life-time. 
The bloceoms soma ‘fem a spathe which opens 
from beneath, and the males ard females are arranged 
together on the same stalk. The males soon drop off, 
and the females and the quite young and tender fruit 
look like bunches of pure ivory. beads. When the nut 
. has acquired nearly its full size; but while it is yet of 
a lively green, externally, and before the husk and shell 
have: hardened, it is said to'be in the milk, and then 
furnishes a delightful and healthful beverage. You may 
thrust a knife through it at one end, as easily as through 
a cabbage stump, which it much resembles in. texture, 
and having taken out a sufficient plug or tap, just as if 
you were tapping a melon, you come to a limpid well 
of water, which completely fills the cavity within. Dis- 
posing of this, which may be in, quantity about.a pint, 
you may take.a spoon, and taste of the pulp which 
thinly lines the walls of the cavity and which at this 
time is as soft as a curd, and has not yet acquired the 
flavor of the ripe fruit. "This is the albumen of the nut 
or seed, and seems to be secreted from the water con- 
tained in it; for the water or milk decreases, as the 
pulp or albumen Mee thickness and firm consist- 
ence. 
A epe. tree will generally. bear, from the seed, 
in about five years, and in some cases sooner. ` The- 
; bunches of flowers succeed each other, and feri and 
