IN BORNEAN FORESTS 



[chap. 



their modified condition, hold their own in the struggle with de- 

 structive agents. 



In virtue of its delicious flavour, the mangosteen heads the list 

 of the edible fruits of the tropical world. It is of the size and 

 shape of a small orange. When ripe its skin, or rather rind, is 

 smooth, and of a dark purple or vinous colour. To get at the 

 edible part this rind must be cut through all round. The inner 

 layer of it is nearly half an inch thick, and is highly astringent, 

 containing, probably, a large proportion of tannin. If one has taken 



Fig. 8. — fruit of the mangosteen, Garcinia Mangostanci (f nat. size). 



care to cut through to the right depth, the upper half of the rind 

 can be detached, leaving uncovered a central white, glittering mass 

 composed of 5-6 segments, like the " pigs " of an orange. Each of 

 these consists of a seed surrounded by an abundant white, juicy 

 pulp ; soft, sweet, slightly acidulated, and with a delicate, delicious 

 flavour, which recalls that of a fine peach, muscatel grapes, and 

 something peculiar and indescribable which no other fruit has. 



All the year round ripe soursops (Anona muricata) can be 

 obtained at Kuching. They are big heart-shaped fruits, green out- 

 side, with a white, juicy flesh, which is very agreeable to the palate. 

 The papaw (Carica papaya) is also a perennial fruiter, and grows 

 almost spontaneously in gardens and about houses ; its fruit is not 

 unlike a melon, but less highly flavoured. Both these are of 

 American origin, as are also the sweetsop (Anona squamata) and the 



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