vni, a, i Pratt and del Rosario: Philippine Fruits 65 



used. It is of some importance in Ceylon and Burma where 

 it is cultivated. Firminger records that the sliced and roasted 

 breadfruit is "hardly distinguishable from an excellent butter 

 pudding." 



ARTOCARPUS COMMUNIS Forst. (A. camansi Blanco.) Plate III, fig. 2. 

 Very similar to the preceding variety, differing chiefly in 

 the fruits bearing numerous rather large seeds. Polynesia. 

 Unimportant. 



CASOY 



ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE L. Plate IV, fig. 1. CASHEW, Caju; Ca- 

 suy; Casoy, T.; Bollogo, II. 



A small tree with simple leaves and terminal panicles of 

 small flowers. Fruits consisting of two parts, the much en- 

 larged, soft, yellowish, obovoid edible pedicel which is usually 

 about 5 centimeters long, bearing at its apex the kidney-shaped 

 seeds containing a caustic juice, edible only after being cooked. 

 Tropical America. 



The unripe fruit is very astringent, but when mature it be- 

 comes juicy and sweet, with the property of quenching thirst 

 that adds to its value. The outer skin is slightly irritant when 

 applied to the skin, and has a smooth oily surface. The pulp 

 is fermented in Brazil and made into an alcoholic beverage that 

 is said to resemble Madeira and have beneficial properties in 

 stimulating the liver. A similar intoxicating drink called "kaju" 

 is consumed by the natives in eastern tropical Africa, and the 

 juice is a source of very weak alcohol in Bombay. 



The seed is enclosed in a grayish brown cellular shell that 

 contains an essential oil possessing a blistering action due to 

 the presence of cardol and anacardic acid. This oil has a slight 

 value as a preventive against white ants in wood, books, etc., 

 and is used in the Andamans to color and preserve fish nets. 



The kernel is edible after roasting, and so prepared is one of 

 the best nuts available. Cashew nuts are an article of commerce, 

 and are in demand for confectionery and flavoring purposes. 

 A fixed oil may be expressed from the nut that is very nutri- 

 tious and the equal of almond oil in every respect. The casoy 

 beans sell for 5 centavos a hundred in the provinces, and trees 

 bear after four years. The nuts are used at present to a very 

 slight extent, although there are possibilities of profit from this 

 source. 



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