cultivating in England. By Mr. John Lindley. 115 



The Blimbing (Averrhoa Carambola), is produced by a bush 

 with straggling branches, pinnated leaves, and purple flowers 

 growing in bunches. The form of the fruit is oblong, with 

 five prominent angles ; its skin is thin, green at first, and yel- 

 lowish afterwards. The flesh is soft, and exceedingly juicy, 

 like a Plum, with a gratefully acid flavour. It is wholesome 

 and very refreshing, particularly in hot weather. The fruit 

 in Hindostan and Ceylon sometimes becomes as big as two 

 fists.* In Sumatra there are two sorts called Penjuru and 

 Best, which are chiefly used in cookery where a strong acid 

 is required.f In Bengal a sweet and an acid kind are culti- 

 vated.:!: The Blimbing is represented in Rumphius, Vol. i. 

 plate 35, and there are several figures of it among the Oriental 

 Drawings of the Society. 



The Cheremi (Averrhoa acida) is nearly related to the 

 Blimbing Besi ; but the fruit is smaller, of an irregular shape, 

 growing in clusters close to the branch ; and containing each 

 a single hard nut or stone. It is a common substitute 

 for our acid fruit in tarts. || For a figure see Rumphius, 

 Vol. i. plate 36. 



The Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), is about the size 

 of a pigeon's egg, consisting of a shining red covering, de- 

 fended by soft spines or coarse hairs. The part eaten is 

 a gelatinous and semi-transparent rich sub-acid pulp sur- 

 rounding the kernel. § Several figures of it exist among the 

 Society's Oriental Drawings ; it is also represented by Mr. 

 Marsden, plate 6. 



* Rumphius, Vol. i. page 116. f Marsden, page 102. 



X Carey's Hortus Bengalensis, page 34. j| Marsden, page 102. 



§ Marsden, page 101. Crawfurd, Vol i. page 432. 



