32 
MEMOIR OF 
Ray replies, “ If you go to Jamaica, I pray you 
a safe and prosperous voyage. We expect great 
things from you, no less than the resolving all our 
doubts about the names we meet with of plants 
in that part of America, as the Dildoe, Mammee, 
Mangrove, Manchinello, Avellanse purgatrices, 
the Sower-sop and Custard apple.* Of most of 
which, though I am pretty well informed and 
satisfied by Dr Robinson, yet I shall be glad to 
be either confirmed, or better informed by so 
knowing and curiqus an observer as yourself. I 
should be glad to know what manner of fruit 
the Mandioca bears ; for, whatever some have 
written, that it is not without, I am confident. You 
may also please to observe, whether there be any 
species of plants common to America and Europe, 
and whether Ambergrise be the juice of any sort 
• A contemporary of Sloane’s, gives this account of the 
custard apple “ When it is ripe we gather it, and keep 
it one day, and then it is fit to be eaten. We cut a hole 
at the lesser end (that it may stand the firmer in the dish) 
so big, as that a spoon may go in with ease, and with the 
spoon cat it. Never was excellent custard more like 
itself, than this to it ; only this addition, which makes it 
transcend all custards that art cun make, though of natural 
ingredients, and that is a fruity taste, which makes it 
strange and admirable. Many seeds there are in it, but so 
smooth, as you may put them out of your mouth with some 
pleasure.” Ligon’s “ True and Exact History of the 
Island of Barbadoes, 1673.” 
