462 Account of the Edible Fruits of Sierra Leone. 



abundant in the woods as to obstruct the passage through 

 them in every direction; they grow vigorously, and bear 

 fruit abundantly. 



The profusion in which those plants are found both in fre- 

 quented and unfrequented places, sanctions the opinion 

 which is commonly entertained in the colony, that they are 

 not of foreign origin, but indigenous inhabitants. This is 

 contrary to the doctrine of scientific botanists, who hold that 

 Pine Apples have been carried from America into Africa 

 and Asia ; yet it is difficult to conceive how such an exotic 

 should have so established itself as to have assumed all the 

 habits and characters of a native in those regions, and more 

 especially that it should have sported in them into varieties 

 (as is the case more particularly in parts of Asia) so remarka- 

 bly different from any that are known to exist in the coun- 

 tries, of which alone they are supposed to be the original 

 inhabitants. 



Two sorts of Pine Apples are cultivated by the colonists, 

 at Sierra Leone, one called the White, and the other the Black 

 Pine Apple ; they are not so large as those produced in Eng- 

 land, but have a superior flavour. The Wild varieties are nu- 

 merous. A very pleasant kind of wine is made in the colony 

 from the juice of this fruit. 



The preceding are all the fruits which appear to have come 

 under the observation of Mr. Don during his visit to Sierra 

 Leone ; that his exertions in obtaining them were considera- 

 ble will be evident, from the following comparison of the 

 results of his labours, with the subjects enumerated in the 

 Report made by Dr. Afzelius, who resided in the country 

 several years. 



