450 Account of the Edible Fruits of Sierra Leone. 



Spondias. Linnceus. 



Hog Plum or Yellow Plum. Si»ondias Myrobalanus. 



Linnceus. 



The tree which yields this fruit grows naturally in the 

 mountains, and has been planted in the low grounds by the 

 settlers, on account of its produce; it is also cultivated in 

 the town ; it grows about fifty feet high, and has much the 

 appearance of a common Ash. This has also been observed 

 by Afzelius.* The leaves are pinnated and of a pale green 

 colour. The flowers are small, white, growing in clusters 

 at the extremity of the branches ; they are succeeded by 

 the fruit, which is the size of a walnut, of an oval shape and 

 yellow colour, its flesh is tender, much resembling that of 

 the common Plum of our gardens, both in appearance and 

 flavour, though perhaps it has more acidity. The stone 

 forms half the entire bulk of the fruit. The specimens 

 received, though not perfect enough to ascertain the species, 

 are sufficient to enable us to decide that it is a Spondias. 

 Mr. Don is disposed to consider it distinct from Spondias 

 Myrobalanus of Linnaeus, and would therefore call it S. 

 Leona, as indicative of its native country. On reference 

 however to Afzelius's Remedia Guineensia,f we find the 

 Spondias Myrobalanus described there as a native of the 

 Sierra Leone district; and his description is so accordant with 

 the plant found by Mr. Don, as to leave little doubt of 

 their identity. 



* Afzelius's Report, page 237. No. 33, 

 f Page 53. 



