40 



G. P. IF. Collection PlATE XVIII. 



Achras Sapota. 



SAPODILLA, OR NASEBERRY. 



This tree, which grows on almost all of the Islands of the 

 •Hawaiian group, is a fine evergreen, growing to a height of from 

 IO-20 feet, and producing a fruit which is much prized in warm 

 countries. The bark possesses tonic properties, and from, the 

 juice chewing-gun is made. Its foliage is- dense, and the shiny 

 leaves are thick, lance-oblong, entire, and clustered at the ends 

 of the branches. The flowers which are small, whitish, and per- 

 fect, are borne on the rusty pubescent growths of the season. The 

 fruit, of which there are two varieties, the round and the oblong, 

 is about the size of a hen's egg. It has a rough skin, the color 

 of a russet apple, beneath which is a firm, somewhat stringy, 

 sweet pulp, having the flavor of an apricot. This pulp is divided 

 into 10-12 compartments, and contains from 4-6 large, flat, 

 smooth black seeds. 



