Vegetahles of Ceylon. 
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CHAPTEK XV. 
Vegetahles of Ceylon. 
Ceylon is particularly prolific in plants. Almost all those 
fruits which are peculiar to India and the countries within the tro- 
pical climates, are here found in great abundance and of a superior 
quality. Except in one or two species, the mangoes of Alassegon, 
and the manderine orange of China, which has within these last 
few years been raised at Bombay, this island maintains an undenia- 
ble superiority over all our settlements on the continent of India. 
The climate is remarkably adapted to promote vegetation, and 
there are few parts where some species of fruit or other does not 
grow in luxuriance. Most of those fruits, which are natives of the 
island grow spontaneously in the woods without any culture or 
care in the rearing ; and the only labour required from the 
peasants is merely to pluck and bring them to market, where 
they are of course sold at a very low price. 
Among the fruits which grow spontaneously in the woods of 
Ceylon, are found most of those which constitute the most de- 
licious desserts of our European tables ; such as pine-apples, 
oranges, pomegranates, citrons, limes, melons, plums, pump- 
kins, water-melons, squashes, figs, almonds, mulberries, raisins, 
bilberries, bogberries, &c. all of which are too well known to 
require any particular description. 
The mango is of an oblong cylindrical form, in shape and 
size resembling an egg. Its taste and flavour are peculiar, and 
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