74 



G. P. W. Collection. pLATE XXXV 



Carica Papaya. 

 PAPAIA (fruit, female tree). 



The Papaya is a native of South America ; it is found in Florida, 

 and in many other parts of tropical America ; it was early intro- 

 duced into Hawaii, grows and bears well in almost any locality. 

 It is a small tree, with a hollow branchless trunk ; is of short 

 vitality, and is suitable only to regions free from frost, and re- 

 quires perfect drainage. There are two varieties, the tall and the 

 dwarf, but there are numerous variations as to shape and quality 

 of the fruit. The soft green leaves, often measuring two feet 

 across, are variously palmated, and have simple, long hollow 

 stems. The Papaya is usually dioceous ; the fruit-bearing tree is 

 called the female, it is claimed that trees of both sexes should bs 

 planted near each other, in order to ensure a good yield. The 

 female flowers, which appear from the axils of the leaves, are 

 yellowish-white, are single or 2-3 together. 



The fruit of the Papaya ripens successively. It is either round 

 or oblong, and sometimes weighs eight pounds. The skin is thin, 

 and is bright yellow when ripe. The firm yellow pulp has a deli- 

 cious flavor, and the milky juice contains a digestive principle 

 similar to pepsine. The seed-cavity is large, and is filled with 

 many small seeds which are enveloped, in a loose mucus coat, with 

 a brittle, pitted testa. When fresh these seeds germinate readily. 



