NAT. ORDER. ARTOCARPEiE. 
145 
has been considered very proper for hard working people. It is 
of a gentle astringent quality ; and is good for persons of a laxa- 
tive habit. 
This fruit is more nourishing boiled after our manner, with 
fat meat, than roasted on coals. The milky juice which exudes 
from the trunk, boiled with the cocoa-nut oil, makes a very strong 
bird-lime. This tree is found on the eastern parts of Sumatra, 
and in the Malay language is called Soccus, and Soccum capus. It 
grows likewise on the Island of Java, in the towns of Bantum, 
Ballega, and Madura, and is there called Soccum. 
Capt. Cook, in his voyage, observes, that this fruit not only 
serves as a substitute for bread among the inhabitants of Otaheite, 
and the neighboring islands, but, also, variously dressed, composes 
the principal part of their food. Of the Bread-fruit the natives 
make four dishes, by putting either water, or the milk of the cocoa- 
nut to it ; then beating it to a paste with a stone pestel ; and after- 
wards mixing it with ripe plantains, bananas, or the sour paste 
which they call mahie. 
The mahie, which is made to serve as succedaneum for ripe 
Bread-fruit, before the season comes on, is made by gathering the 
fruit of the Bread-tree, just before it is perfectly ripe ; and then 
laid in heaps, closely covered with leaves. In this state it under- 
goes a fermentation, and becomes disagreeably sweet. The core 
is then taken out entire, which is done by gently pulling out the 
stalk ; and the rest of the fruit is thrown into a hole which is duof 
for that purpose, generally in the houses; and neatly lined on the 
bottom and sides with grass. The whole is then covered with 
leaves, and heavy stones laid upon them. In this state it undergoes 
a second fermentation, and becomes sour, after which it will suffer 
no change for many months. It is taken out of the hole as it is 
wanted for use ; and, being made into balls, it is wrapped up into 
leaves, and baked. After it is dressed, it will keep five or six 
weeks. Tt is eaten both cold and hot; and the natives seldom 
