76 
CULTURE OF THE DURION AS A TABLE FRUIT. 
not contiguous to any bottom heat. Although planted out only a few years ago, it has 
already attained upwards of 40 feet in height, and continues to make rapid advances every 
year. In November last, when the leaves had all fallen, there hung suspended at the 
extreme point of one of the young branches what appeared at first to be a bunch of half- 
decayed leaves, but which on examination proved to be an expanded flower; this although 
neither handsome nor conspicuous, is yet a very curious and interesting production. 
The management of this curious plant is attended with no difficulty whatever, as it 
will grow with the greatest freedom in any light rich loam ; watering freely during the 
season of growth, and administering sparingly when in a state of rest ; but there is one 
great drawback to its cultivation, and that is, during the period of rest in the end of the 
autumn and early winter, it is like most other soft- wooded plants, exceedingly liable to 
become infested with myriads of insects, which, from the number of prickles clothing the 
stem and branches, it is exceedingly difficult to dislodge or destroy. 
Increase is readily effected by cuttings taken from the plant when the wood is half ripe, 
and planted in pots of fine sand, under a hand-glass, either in a propagating-house, or 
a hotbed frame. 
CULTURE OF THE DURION AS A TABLE FRUIT. 
The Durion, or Civet Cat fruit, is the Durio Zibethinus of Linn, and other Botanists, and 
of our Botanical Catalogues. It is a native of the East Indies, and is extensively cultivated 
in the islands of the Archipelago. In its native country it forms a tree from 60 to 80 
feet in height, and with a head spreading in proportion. It was introduced to this country 
in 1825, but is little known at present in collections, and has not at present flowered or 
fruited in any collection in Europe. 
Description. — The Plant forms a tree upwards of 80 feet high. Branches numerous, 
spreading. Leaves oblong, acuminate, rounded at the base, resembling in general 
appearance those of the Cherry ; smooth, and green above, silvery beneath, and covered 
with brownish shining scales. Petioles about an inch long. Peduncles growing from the 
ripened wood below the leaves. Flowers produced in fascicles. Calyx coloured, five-lobed, 
girded by a two-lobe d concave involucrum. Petals 
five, joined together at the base, into a tube, 
longer than the calyx, with a spreading limb. 
Stamens numerous, disposed in five bundles, each 
bundle being divided into five, and the filaments 
with fertile anthers , which are anfractuose. Stigma 
roundish. Fruit roundish-oblong, as large as a 
child’s head, muricated, with a hard rind, five- 
celled, cells filled with pulp, and four or five- 
seeded. Seeds shining, ovate-oblong. 
It belongs to the Natural Order Sterculiacese 
of Findley's Veg. King., and is stated by travel- 
lers to be one of the most delicious fruits of 
India. The eatable part is the cream-like sub- 
stance in which the seeds are imbedded ; nearly 
all travellers agree, however, that its smell is 
exceedingly disagreeable, resembling putrid ani- 
mal substances or rotten onions ; and in Amboyna, 
it is said that a law is in force to prohibit the inhabitants from throwing the rind in 
any place of public resort. A recent intelligent writer, however, tells us that when the fruit 
first becomes ripe, no unpleasant smell is perceptible, but, on the contrary, a very grateful 
fragrance is emitted. Mag. Gard. d Bot., I. p. 60. Notwithstanding this drawback, which, 
to persons unaccustomed to the fruit, produces a disgust, yet after a time, it becomes 
esteemed by all, and is considered most delicious. 
