240 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 
time or harvest; there is no threshing, no grinding, 
no kneading; in fact, the islanders of the South Seas 
have their bread ready prepared, and have only to 
place it on the coals as they need it. 
In its native islands the tree bears for about eight 
months in the year. Toward the close of the fruitful 
period the natives lay the fruit in heaps and cover it 
with leaves, where it ferments; the core attached to 
the stem is then pulled out, and the fruit, placed in a 
hole, changes from sweet to sour, after which it will 
keep until another season of fruitage. 
This allusion to the home of the bread-fruit very 
naturally recalls the story of its introduction into the 
West Indies—a story romantic, and worthy of fre- 
quent repetition. In 1797, in answer to a petition from 
the planters of the West Indies, the armed transport, 
the “ Bounty,” was fitted out for Otaheite, commanded 
by Lieutenant Bligh, who had been around the world 
with Cook. Her cabin was fitted with a false floor 
cut full of holes, sufficient to receive one thousand 
garden-pots. She was victualled for fifteen months, 
and carried trinkets for trade in the South Sea Islands. 
After many difficulties, being obliged to abandon the 
route intended and seek a new one, Lieutenant Bligh 
reached Otaheite. A tent was erected on shore to 
receive the trees, some thirty of which were potted 
every day. 
On the 4th of April, 1789, the “ Bounty ” set sail, with . 
one thousand roots in pots, tubs, and boxes. On the 
247th broke out the mutiny which has become a matter 
of history. Lieutenant Bligh, with eighteen others, 
was placed in the launch, which was cut loose with 
one hundred and fifty pounds of bread, twenty-eight 
