37 



leaves on the outside are covered with a species of white wax M (van 

 Nooterts Java, 1863). 



Rigg, in his dictionary of the Sunda language, gives a list of about 

 40 names of plantains in Western Java. The word djauw is the Sunda 

 for pisang or plantain. The most singular is the lubang, or eel plantain, 

 described by Kurz as u a very rare variety ; the fruit is said to ripen in 

 the stem before it is protruded hence, likened to an eel in a hole." In 

 the sambatu the fruits grow together, as if glued into one mass. 

 Marsden, in his history of Sumatra, mentions that there are 20 

 varieties cultivated in that island, of which pisang raja, pisang dinger 

 and pisang kale are the best. 



Of the bananas of Siam little is recorded. The fruit is there called 

 tun-bloi or kloh-eh. Mason collected the names of 25 varieties iu 

 Burma. 



Specimens of fresh fruits of pisang maas, of pisang susu, and of 

 pisang tandok, preserved in spirit, are in the Kew Museum, from 

 Mr. H. N. Ridley, F.L.S., Singapore, 1894. 



Burbidge, in the Gardens of the Sun, pp. 321-2, reviews the different 

 varieties of plantains and bananas that came under his observation in 

 the East, as follows : — 



" Last on my list, but by no means least amongst the tropical fruits of 

 Eastern gardens, comes the pisang or banana, which here, as elsewhere 

 wherever it is cultivated, is represented by many varieties, which differ in 

 size of fruit, flavour, and other particulars. One of the most common 

 varieties met with in the bazaars is pisang maas, or golden banana, the 

 individual fruits of which are small, but of a bright golden colour and of 

 excellent flavour. One of the most esteemed of all is pisang raja, or king 

 of bananas, a larger fruit, also of a deep golden colour, the flavour being 

 very luscious. Pisang hijau, the green banana, is slender and angular, 

 but the straw-coloured pulp is of a most exquisite flavour, and it is quite 

 a favourite in Singapore, where the raja variety is comparatively scarce. 

 Pisang kling is a pale yellow kind, bearing large smooth fruits, and for 

 eating with cheese this is one of the best, being less sweet than those 

 just named. A large horned variety of banana (generally used in a 

 cooked state) is common in Borneo, called of the natives pisang tandok, 

 the individual fruits being a foot long and two inches in diameter. The 

 outer skin is green, changing to yellow when fully ripe, and this fruit is 

 liked by those who do not relish the sweeter kinds." 



Polynesia. 



There are numerous wild and seed-bearing bananas in the islands of 

 Polynesia probably undescribed. Specimens of these, but not sufficient 

 for determination, have been received at Kew from the Solomon Islands, 

 from Mr. H. B. Guppy, and from Timor Laut from Mr. H. 0. Forbes. 



Ellis mentions that in the Society Islands nearly 20 kinds of 

 plantains (probably forms of M. Fehi), very large and serviceable, 

 grow wild in the mountains. " These are rich and agreeable when 

 baked, but most unpalatable when raw. They have a red skin and a 

 bright yellow pulp. Their native name is fei" The best banana in 

 Tahiti is called huamene. 



Tropical Africa. 

 The different varieties of bananas and plantains cultivated in tropical 

 Africa have not been investigated. The native names quoted appear to 

 stand simply for banana or plantain, and, except in one or two instances, 



