THE NAVEL ORANGE OF BAHIA. 27 
feet, the trunk branching freely close to the ground. The leaves 
are persistent, opposite, ovate-elliptical to lanceolate, acute at the 
apex, generally glabrous, with the margins entire. In length they 
vary from three-fourths of an inch to over 3 inches, their size being 
one of the principal characteristics by which the natives distinguish 
the different horticultural forms which are cultivated in the gardens. 
The flowers (Pl. XIII) are small, white, produced singly and in 
clusters on the bark from the base of the trunk to the ends of the 
small branches, sometimes so thick as almost to hide the trunk, 
limbs, and small branches from view; in form they resemble those 
of the myrtle, having four small white petals and a prominent clus- 
ter of white stamens. The season of flowering varies greatly with 
the different species and in different localities. 
The fruit (Pl. XIV) develops very rapidly and is ripe two or 
three months after the appearance of the flowers. In form it is round 
or slightly oblate, half an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, 
deep, glossy maroon-purple in color, crowned with a small disk at 
the apex. While sessile in Myrciaria caulifiora, in M. jaboticaba the 
fruits are produced upon slender stems about an inch in length. 
Those of I. caulifiora are considered the largest, frequently averag- 
ing an inch or more in diameter as seen offered for sale in the mar- 
kets. The skin is thick and rather tough; besides coloring matters 
it contains a large amount of tannin. The translucent, juicy pulp, 
white or tinged with rose, is of a most agreeable, vinous flavor, 
suggestive of the Scuppernong or Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundi- 
folia) of the Southern States; the whole appearance and character 
of the fruit so suggest a grape, in fact, as to earn for the jaboticaba 
the name of “the grape of Brazil.” One not infrequently finds a 
jaboticaba with the disagreeable resinous twang common to a num- 
ber of myrtaceous fruits. This may be due in many instances to 
the condition of the fruit at the time of eating or to the inferiority 
of the particular variety. A good jaboticaba is so thoroughly enjoy- 
able as to tempt one to keep on picking and eating the fruits indefi- 
nitely. Brazilians are wont to yield to this temptation, especially 
the children, who spend hours searching out and devouring the ripe 
fruits, their only complaint being that it is impossible to satisfy 
one’s appetite with jaboticabas. 
The seeds, which vary from one to four in number, are not easily 
separated from the pulp. In form they are oval to almost round, 
compressed, and about a quarter of an inch in length. 
A number of named varieties are known to the Brazilians, some 
of which are probably true species, others horticultural forms origi- 
nating through seedling variation. The name jaboticaba, without 
any qualifying word, is considered to be properly applied only to 
