456 Account of the Edible Fruits of Sierra Leone. 



and appearance resembling a Lime, growing pendulous, almost 

 sessile, and singly or in pairs from the axils of the leaves; 

 when broken or cut it yields a quantity of sweet, milky juice. 

 The pulp, in which many large seeds are found, is also agree- 

 able and sweet. It was observed growing plentifully on the 

 Martello-tower hill, near to Free-Town, but was not seen 

 elsewhere. Specimens were sent home by Mr. Don, of bran- 

 ches with leaves, and of the ripe as well as green fruit ; the 

 deficiency of blossom has been supplied from Mr. Brown's 

 Herbarium, in which it is considered as belonging to a 

 new genus, named as above by him. It is nearly allied to 

 Melodinus. 



Sour Pishamin. Carpodinus acidus. 



A climbing shrub of more straggling habit than the prece- 

 ding, but very similar in character and appearance, producing 

 its fruit in greater abundance, was noticed by Mr. Don ; it is 

 however of very rare occurrence, for he observed only two 

 plants of it ; these grew by the side of a rivulet in the moun- 

 tains. The fruit is smaller and more round than that of the 

 Sweet Pishamin, and has a sharp acid taste, with some little 

 bitterness, which prevents it being agreeable ; it is however 

 much liked by the natives. Specimens of the fruit only were 

 sent home by Mr. Don, but it being his opinion that the 

 plant is specifically different from the preceding, it has been 

 distinguished by a name indicative of its peculiar flavour. 



The name of Pishamin given by the settlers to the two 

 preceding plants is taken from the common American appel- 

 lation of the Diospyros Lotus. 



