SUMATRA. 
Fruks, FlowcrSf Medicinal Shrubs and Herbs. 
ATURE, fays a celebrated writer, feems to bave taken a plea* 
furc in affembling in the Malay iflands, her moft favorite productions" — 
and with truth I think It may be affirmed, that no country upon earth 
can boaft an equal abundance and variety of iHtitgsnous fruits i fbr 
though the whole of the following lift cannot be reckoned as fuch, yet 
there is every reafon to conclude that by far the greater pare may, as 
the natives can hardly be fufpe^ted of having taken much pains to 
import exMks, who never appear to beftow the fmalleft labor^ in im- 
proving, or even cultivating, thofe which they poffefs. The larger 
number grow wild, and the reft are planted iu a carelefs, irregular man- 
ner, without any inclofure^ about the fkirts of their villages. 
The Mangufiten {mangees) has, by general confent;, obtained the 
preeminence amongft Indian fruits, in the opinion of Europeans* 
It is the pride of the Malay iflands, and perhaps the moft delicate fruit 
in the world 5 but not rich or lufcious. It is a drupe, confifting of a 
foft, fucculent, and thick rind, encompaffing kernels which are covered 
with a juicy, and perfet^tly white fubftance, which is ihe part eaten, or 
fucked rather, as it diffolves Vn the mourh* They are extremely inno- 
cent in their qualities, and may be eaten in any quantity without dan- 
^r of a furfcitj or other bad effe(fts, The returns of its feafon are very 
irregular. 
The 'Dmnan. This is the favorite of the natives, who live almoft 
wholly upon it,* during the time it continues in feafon. It is a rich fruit, 
but ftrong in the tafte, offenfive in the fmell to thofe who are notaccuf- 
tomedto it, and of a very heating quality. Tlie tree is large and lofty ; 
the leaves are fmall in proportion, but in themlelves long and pointed. 
The bloflbms grow in clufters, on the ftem and larger branches. The 
-petals are five, of a yellowiHi white, furrounding five bunches of ftami- 
Ha, each bunch containing about twelve, and each ftamcn having four 
Y anthersE,. 
