62 The Philippine Journal of Science 1913 



pulp abundant, closely surrounding the large compressed seed 

 which is fibrous, especially along the edges. Tropical Asia. 



The mango is one of the most important and delicious fruits 

 of the world, and takes the place in tropical countries of the 

 peach. It is consumed in immense quantities, and forms a 

 staple article of diet during its rather long season. The tree 

 is held sacred in India, and references to it are woven through 

 the native folklore and poems. In the Indian story of Surya 

 Bai 2 the daughter of the sun is represented as persecuted by a 

 sorceress, to escape from whom she became a golden lotus. The 

 king fell in love with the flower, which was then burnt by the 

 sorceress. From its ashes grew a mango tree, and the king fell 

 in love first with its flower, and then with its fruit. When ripe 

 the fruit fell to the ground, and from it emerged the daughter 

 of the sun who was recognized by the prince as his lost wife. 



The seeds contain about 10 per cent tannin, and are used with 

 beneficial effect in certain cases of dysentery. The bark and 

 leaves contain a yellow dye of slight importance. 



Mangos are prepared for consumption in a variety of different 

 forms. The green, strongly acid fruit is boiled with sugar or 

 pickled, is used in curries, and to flavor many fish products. The 

 largest demand is for the ripe fruit, and good specimens often 

 sell for 2 pesos 3 a dozen in the Manila market when bought in 

 small quantities. They are eaten by everyone, and are the best 

 fruit produced in the Islands. The pulp of a fully ripened 

 mango is rich golden orange, very juicy, and recalls slightly the 

 taste of a peach. It is excellent in salad or ice cream, and should 

 find an unlimited market if properly canned. Three types enter 

 the markets, differing slightly in size, shape, and flavor. The 

 most important and finest is the carabao (Plate I, fig. 1). The 

 pico (Plate I, fig. 2) is slightly smaller and lacks some of the 

 spicy flavor found in the carabao. The pahutan (Plate II, fig. 

 1) is decidedly smaller and slightly sweeter, but its low propor- 

 tion of edible pulp makes it less valuable for commercial purposes. 

 Other varieties are found in the different islands, but many have 

 a disagreeable taste resembling turpentine and are unimportant. 

 Among these may be mentioned the large mango known as 

 "juani" of Jolo and Mindanao. 



The mango season begins about the first of April, and extends 

 through July, although the Filipinos often force the fruit by 

 building fires under the trees or chopping the bark. A few 



2 Cox, Mythology of the Arian Nations. 



1 One peso Philippine currency equals 50 cents United States currency. 



