THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
f^ostccn and the durian {Durio zihathinus) are two 
iruiis that natives of the tropics usually value more 
highly than any other fruit; indeed the mano^osteen 
is often called the most delicious fruit in the world. 
The durian, though possessing a disagreeable odor, 
is regarded as nearly its equal in flavor, and is greedily 
eaten by all sorts of animals. The jack fruit {Artocarpus 
integnfolia) is another large fruit with an exceedingly dis- 
agreeable odor that is pleasing to most palates if the 
odoriferous morsel can be gotten past the nose, The jack 
fruit is the nearest relative of the bread fruit {Artocarpus 
incisa) and both are as large as a man,s head or larger. 
The sour sop {Anona muricata) the bullock's heart 
{A. reticulata.) the custard apple {A. squamosa) and the 
cheriraoyer (.4. cherimolia) are a group of related fruits 
that find fevor throughout the tropics. The trees that 
that produce them are of medium size, not unlike peach 
trees in habit, though the fruits of most are much larger 
than peaches. The fruits are heart shaped and contain a 
soft custard like pulp. The trees are natives of the West 
The names of the guava {Psidium guya va and P. cat- 
tleyanurn), persimmon (Diospyros kaki), pomegranate 
{Pvnica ^ranatum) avocado or "alligator" pear {Persea 
gratissima) and the papaw (Carica papaya) are familiar 
to all readers of articles on tropical botany, and all but 
the last may he found during t?ie season in the markets of 
the larger cities in temperate regions. The persimmon, 
gaiuing frivor in America. The papaw is not related to the 
naMve Xorth .\merican tree by that name. In appearance 
it has considerable resemblance to a large castor-oil plant 
{Ricinvii communis) and is usually to be found in anj' large 
conservatory. The large melon like fruits are the source of 
Less familiar, perhaps, but well known to all visitors to 
the American tropics, at least, are the rose apple {Eugenia 
jambos), loi\n<it {Photinia japon/ca), tree tomato {Cypbo- 
