THE STAR APPLE FAMILY. 



315 



whence its name. It is an ornamental plant in green- 

 houses. 



Sapodilla Plum (Achras sapota). A large tree, native of 

 the West Indies, where, as well as throughout all parts of 

 tropical America, it is cultivated for its fruit, which is consi- 

 dered to be only inferior to an orange ; it is about the size of a 

 Bergamot Pear, and is not fit for eating until it begins to decay. 



Achras (Lucuma) mammosa. A large tree, native of the 

 West Indies and tropical America. Its fruit is from 3 to 5 

 inches long, and pulpy. It is sometimes called marmalade, 

 from its resembling that substance in taste and appearance. 



The two last-mentioned are also known by the name of 

 Bully Trees, and are cultivated in the Mauritius, and other 

 parts of the east. 



Cainito (^Lucuma cainito and L. obovato). Large trees, 

 natives of North Chili and Peru ; but there are some doubts 

 whether they are distinct species. The fruit is not so large as 

 that of the preceding, but of a more agreeable flavour, and is 

 much esteemed in Peru. L. obovato has fruited at Kew. 



Gutta Percha (Isonandra gutta). A tree attaining the 

 height of from 60 to 70 feet. It has smooth ovate entire 

 leaves, of a rusty brown colour on the under side. It is a 

 native of the Malayan Peninsula, Borneo, and other islands. 

 It contains milky juice, which forms gutta percha. This 

 substance came into special notice in 1845, and its important 

 uses soon becoming obvious led to a great demand for the 

 article, to meet which the natives cut down the trees. It is 

 consequently now extinct in Singapore, from whence it was 

 first obtained; and if precaution is not taken by Govern- 

 ment, it will in time become extinct in other localities. 



The numerous uses to which gutta percha is applied are 

 well known ; the most important is for covering the electric 

 wires of telegraph cables, it being a perfect insulator, and 

 also said to be indestructible under water. 



A number of other trees of this family yield gutta percha 

 in varying abundance and quality. The best is obtained 

 from Sapota Mulleri^ a large tree, native of British Guiana, 



