14 



after a vegetation of many years,, it destroys itself, leaving on the 

 branches of the said trees the marks which, during its existence, it 

 stamped on them/' 



No. 25. — Contains a variety of the Melons from the market. Thev 

 attain vast size, and are fine in appearance, but want the flavour of 

 those of the warm parts of Europe. 



No. 26. — Gourds of all descriptions. 



No. 27. — The clustered scarlet fruit hanging from the top is the 

 Akee ; some of them are opened to shaw their black glossy seeds. 

 They are found in many of the Islands of America, and are principally 

 used in soups. 



Next this is the magnificent Alligator Pear or Avocata ( Lauras 

 Perseco J, whose glossy purple and green fruit is in general estimation 

 at the breakfast table in tropical regions; the flesh resembles butter; 

 they are generally eaten with pepper and salt, and are certainly a great 

 delicacy. 



Beneath these is a branch of the Mamea ( Mamea Americana ), its 

 rough ligneous coat covers a fine orange-coloured thick pulp, enclosing 

 two or three large polished brown seeds. These fruits are in great 

 estimation in the Capital, and were in the market the whole of the 

 six months I remained there. In the left corner is a basket of purple 

 Pomegranate ( Prunica ), and another of the seeds of the Mamea. 

 The other side is occupied by a species of Cactus Triangura, called 

 Pitalla, with its elegant scarlet and green fruits. I never saw it 

 exposed for sale except in the market of Xalappa, where it is abundant: 

 on separating its beautiful coat, a delicate transparent jelly-like sub- 

 stance mixed with minute seeds presents itself; it is eaten with a 

 spoon, and is very pleasant and refreshing in warm weather. I n*et 

 with it also at the Azores, from whence I brought a living plant. 



No. 28. — Apples; — these are produced in abundance in various 

 parts of the Table Land, and in appearance and variety equal those of 

 any country ; but I met with none good ; probably owing to the want 

 of skill in the cultivation, as I never observed an ingrafted fruit-tree 

 in the country. 



No. 29. — Gourds (Calibashes), These when scooped out serve the 

 purposes of bottles. 



No. 30. — The upper part of this case is occupied by the various 

 kinds of Tomatas ( Solatium Lycopersicum ) ; the larger one enters 



