348 



MONKEY BREAD NUTS, OR FRUIT OF THE BAOBAB. 



wintry scenes in the old country which it may never be his lot again to 

 behold. Some trees discovered by Adanson were supposed by that traveller 

 to have existed coeval with the Flood ; a rather improbable story, even for 

 a tree io tenacious of life as the Baobab. 



Z 



1. — Nuts of Adansonia digitata (about -j^-th of real size). 

 2.— Half Section of Nut. 

 3. — Seed, full size. 



It is difficult to fix the precise localities in Africa where the Monkey 

 Bread trees are principally found, but they are perhaps most profusely 

 distributed in the western and central parts of that continent. The "West 

 Indies, Cape de Verde, and possibly other islands in the Atlantic, also 

 possess the Baobab trees ; whilst North-West Australia has an abundant 

 store. Dr Baikie remarks that these trees are found mainly in the neigh- 

 bourhood of towns and villages ; an observation which he had confirmed by 

 the experience of Dr Crowther in the Yoruba country. 



I have now to notice the nut which is produced by these giant trees, 

 and to which I desire more especially to direct the attention of readers of 

 the Technologist. This fruit is borne in greater or less profusion, according 

 to the nature of the soil on which the trees are found. A moist situation 

 appears most favourable for the production of large nuts, whilst a dry soil 

 increases the quantity, but greatly diminishes the size and affects the 

 quality of the fruit. The nuts vary both in shape and dimensions : some 



