CHAPTER XXXII 

 SOME OF THE LESS KNOWN FRUITS 



THE Otaheite and Spanish or Barbadoes goose- 

 berries are "gooseberries" by courtesy only, al- 

 though the resemblance is not strained. The former, 

 Cicca disticha {C. racemosa), is a tree whose berries are 

 white and waxy, growing in clusters, the tree, leaves, and 

 berries all being very ornamental. The "gooseberries" 

 are extremely acid and very acceptable at their season of 

 ripening: the height of summer. The Spanish, or 

 Barbadoes Gooseberry, the Pereskia aculeata, or Lemon 

 Vine, is a climbing cactus with exquisite blossoms which 

 resemble miniature pond lilies, and fruit of pleasing 

 tartness. (The blossoms, however, give out an unpleasant 

 musty odour.) The berries may be used in many 

 different ways, bringing out their refreshing flavour in 

 natural state or for culinary purposes. 



The Spanish Lime, or Ginep {Melicocca bijuga) has an 

 edible fruit resembling the Northern plum in appearance but 

 with rather a grape flavour, both pulp and seeds being 

 edible, the latter sometimes roasted and eaten like chest- 

 nuts. 



The Sea Grape or Shore Grape of the West Indies, the 

 Coccoloba uvifera, is not a vine but a broad-leaved, bushy 

 tree or plant with purple-rfed fruits of agreeable flavour, 

 susceptible of varied preparation. 



The Ceriman or Monstera deliciosa is sometimes called 

 the "false bread-fruit," but its distinction should rest 

 entirely upon itself for the tall, spreading plant with large, 



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