332 Remarks on Brazilian Esculents and Fruits. 



In the East Indies it is said to be most delicious, and without any terebin- 

 thine taste. Perhaps its culture in the last-mentioned country is more ancient ; 

 a remark which would lead us into theories of tropical horticulture, unne- 

 cessary to be broached on the present occasion. 



Frutta de Conde (Anona squamosa) is of a roundish form, pointed at the 

 base, scaly, and of a yellow-green colour. It contains many blackish seeds, 

 surrounded by a whitish flesh. This is one of the best tropical fruits, deli- 

 cately sweet, and somewhat spicy. The Mamao, or Melon tree (Carica 

 Papaya'), is planted around the Brazilian houses, on account of its rapid 

 wrowth, and bears a whole row of fruit on short peduncles, and which come 

 out of the upper part of the simple stem. The fruit resembles a small melon ; 

 the flesh, however, is soft, and without any particular qualities. 



The Pitanga (? Eugenia pedunculata, ? Eugenia Micheh'i, Cerisier de 

 Cayenne), which is a drupaceous fruit like a cherry, jet angular, has most 

 probably run wild in the forests of Bahia, where, therefore, it is one of the 

 very few wild fruits, which comfort the weary traveller, yet its terebinthine 

 quality impairs its flavour. 



The Grumjama, or Brazilian cherry (most probably also an Eugenia), 

 is twice as big as a large black-heart cherry, and also of the same colour. 

 The best fruit, however, of this tribe is the Cambuca, round, yellow, and 

 of the shape of a very small apple. Around the solitary, rather large, kernel 

 is the delicate flesh, of a yellowish red colour, which, especially that next 

 to the kernel, has an excellent vinous and acidulous taste. Of a similar 

 form and size, but yellowish green, are the Rose Apples (Jambos, Eugenia 

 Jambos). This fruit possesses a powerful odour of roses, and the same taste 

 is imparted to the flesh ; which, however, is somewhat leathery. If ever it 

 were possible to improve this fruit by cultivation, scarcely anything, probably, 

 could be found to excel it. The tamarinds (Tamarindas indica) are suffi- 

 ciently known : the flesh, which contains free acid, is only used to make 

 lemonade ; but a particular use is made of the thin branches by the negroes, 

 who are continually rubbing their teeth and gums with it, for which reason, 

 these really handsome trees, can rarely attain their proper size near habita- 

 tions. The breadfruit (Artocarpus incisa) is not yet of any utility in the 

 Brazils, the largest tree which I saw in Bahia was 30 ft. high ; but on account 

 of its large shining leaves, which are nearly 1a ft. long, it is very or- 

 namental. The fruit, which are like melons, scaly, and 4 or 5 lb. in weight, 

 have been hitherto of little use. Much more important is the other species, 

 which is called Jaca (A. integrifolia). The fruit attains sometimes the weight 

 of 20 lb., and is covered with very prominent scales. The numerous bean- 

 like, white seeds are surrounded by a fleshy parenchyma, which tastes sweet- 

 ish, and is eaten by the negroes ; it is also extensively used as fodder for 

 cattle. 



A very delicious fruit is the Cacao (Theobrdma Cacao), which grows in 

 Bahia, but not in Rio. It is as big as a lemon, and of the same shape, the seeds 

 being surrounded by a very palatable and piquant rosy flesh. The Genipapa 

 (Genipa americana) is apple-shaped, with a leathery brown skin : it tastes 

 sourish, but is not much in use. Much more so is the Araca, or Guava (Psidium 

 pyriferum) ; pear-shaped, and internally also resembling the pear; its reddish 

 flesh is of a pleasant cooling taste. There are more sorts of Araca known : 

 one is yellow, and of the shape of a very small Muscatelle pear ; and the other 

 is reddish blue, of a similar shape, which latter especially has a very delicate 

 flavour ; but both are rarely to be met with. 



Besides the imposing majesty of the cocoa tree and the noble groves it forms 

 about Bahia, the nuts are an important article of exportation ; and I will add, 

 that the yet liquid kernel (a real vegetable milk), refreshes wonderfully on 

 these torrid shores. But not only these species of palms, but most of the 

 others, are made use of, on account of some small portion of their seed. 

 They form one of the petty luxuries of the negroes, and there are at least 

 eight or nine species of such fruit sold in Rio. 



