THE MANGOSTEBN, 
Tke beantiful Mangosteen, a native of the MoliiccaSj 
and thence transplanted to Java, Siam, the Philippmes, 
and Ceylon^ resemblea at a distance the citron-tree, and 
bears large flowers like rosea The dark brown capsular 
fruit, about the size of a small apple, is described as of 
unequalled flavour — ^ uicy and aromatic, like a mixture of 
strawberries^ raspberries, grapes, and oranges. It is said 
that the patient who has lost an appetite for everything 
else still relishes the mangosteen, and that the case is per- 
fectly hopeless when he refuses even this. 
The stately IMango bears beautiful girandoles of flowers, 
followed by large plum-like fruits, of which, however, but 
four or five ripen on each branch. More than forty 
varieties are grown at Kew, the finest of which are 
reserved for the Queen's table. From Ceylon, its original 
seat, the mango has been transplanted far and wide over 
the torrid zone. 
