314 FRUIT RECIPES 



The Emblic Myrobolan (Phyllanthus emblica)' is a beauti- 

 ful plant with delicate leaves, a fruit similar to the plum 

 and equally edible in simple or preserved form. 



The Durian or Durion {Durio zibethinus: Nat. Ord. 

 SterculiacecB) , is a remarkable Malay fruit. The tree is tall 

 and spreading, the fruit, rounding yet oval, "the size of a 

 man's head," is light green and covered with spines. It 

 takes nine months to ripen and the odour from it is very 

 offensive to Europeans till accustomed to it. The creamy 

 pulp, somewhat like a strawberry in flavour, is delicious 

 and contains large seeds, edible when roasted. 



The Nephelium longanum, or Longan Tree, is hand- 

 somely leaved and clustered with fruit, the latter having 

 one large seed in the centre with sweet, translucent pulp 

 surrounding it. It is a near relative of the famous Chinese 

 nut-tree, the Nephelium Litchi (or Leechee), which loses 

 its pink colour (of pulp) when dried and so reaches other 

 countries in brown, shrivelled form. 



The Strawberry Tree {Arbutus unedo) is semi-tropical 

 but will grow as far north as Ireland. The tree, flowers and 

 berries are all very ornamental and from the edible fruit 

 both sugar and a fermented liquor are made. In Italy and 

 Spain the berries are much liked. 



The Otaheite Apple, or Spondias dulcis, is a fruit- 

 bearing tree whose "apples" are in colour and size like 

 small oranges and in flavour resemble the pineapple. 



The Otaheite Plum, or "Jamaica" or "Hog-Plum" 

 {Spondias lutea or 5. cytheria) is related to the Otaheite 

 Apple but its fruit more nearly resembles the larger Loquat 

 ("Japan Plum"). 



The Ximenia Americana is also often called the "Hog- 

 Plum" and is also an edible, though a smaller fruit. 



The Adansonia digitata or "Baobob," known best in 

 Africa, is commonly called "Monkey's Bread." The oval 



