THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
103 
has been likened, by one not over enthusiastic traveler, to brown 
paper pulp sweetened. It also has a faint pear-like flavor. 
The negroes consume large quantities of it. 
A familiar and characteristic sight in all lowland towns 
is that of the bread-fruit tree, with its short stubby branches, 
broad leaves and round green fruits. The latter is borne up- 
right on a short, thick stem and ranges from the size of a 
croquet ball to that of a man's head. In looks it is like a much 
enlarged fruit of our button-ball tree. The usual way of pre- 
paring it is by roasting. It then tastes and looks like squash. 
The much rarer Jack-fruit is own cousin to the bread-fruit, 
but is not to be mentioned in the same breath. Externally 
the two are much alike, but the novice will never confuse them 
because of the jack-fruit's unbearable odor. From its pres- 
ence all other malodorous vegetables must retire abashed. 
When it reaches the kitchen, nobody need be told of its arrival. 
It is therefore seldom admitted to good society, but if one can 
disassociate the horrid smell and the taste, it will be found to 
be sweet and melon-like in flavor. The edible part is a yellow 
glutinous substance in little pockets surrounding the seeds. 
The seeds are also eaten after being boiled. 
Among curious fruits, none are more remarkable than 
the cashew-nut. Nature seems to have been undecided whether 
to make a fruit or a nut of this and to have compromised by 
making both and stringing them on the same stem. One sees 
a smooth red pulpy fruit, and beyond it at the blossom end a 
crescent-shaped nut. Evidently the pear-shaped fruit was in- 
tended to enclose this nut, but in some way it escaped and 
carries on business independently. When one first beholds 
it he can scarcely realize that someone is not playing a joke 
upon him. The fruit is slightly acid and rather tasteless when 
raw, but cooked with sugar, forms a very palatable dish. The 
nut is roasted and tastes very much like the peanut. The real 
peanut is rare in Jamaica. 
