146 REMINISCENCES OF A VOYAGE TO AND FROM CHINA. 
the interior of the country. The first is called by the natives Diilcoo ; 
an egg-shaped fruit, about the size of an apricot, of a pale peach 
colour. Interiorly it resembles the Mangosteen, but neither the calyx 
nor stigma is, like that, persisting. The flavour is very little inferior 
to the Mangosteen, and is by some palates even preferred. The second 
is called Rambosteen by the Dutch ; it is small white fruit, having an 
outer rind, and pulp, and seeds like the Mangosteen, but grow together 
in bunches. The third is called Baduc by the natives, and Jambosteen 
by the Dutch. This fruit is of a rich crimson colour, much echinated, 
that is, covered with soft prickles, including a transparent pulp of good 
flavour, and a single flat seed. We supposed this to be the rose-apple 
(Eugenia Jambos, or Malacensis ) of authors, this country being the 
region of Eugenia and its closely allied genera. The fourth is called 
Courangi , a small fruit, with a brittle shell enclosing a single seed, 
surrounded by a dry melting pulp, in flavour like a tamarind. 
We could get no plants of the above, except a couple of Mangosteens ; 
but W’e laid in a good stock of seeds of all, many of which remained 
sound through the greater part of the voyage home, as we tried them 
in pots in different latitudes; but seedlings are ill fitted for a sea 
voyage. 
We left Malacca with our head and hands full of one thing or other, 
having a largish assortment of seeds, and specimens, and fruit in spirits, 
and soon after had a box of very promising seedlings, but which last all 
perished in the Chinese seas. 
On the second or third day after leaving Malacca, we met with an 
incident which we must be excused alluding to. On doubling a head- 
land about ten or fifteen miles to the westward of a dangerous rock in 
the Straits of Sincapore, called Retro Blanco by the Portuguese 
navigators, and which the East India Company’s commanders are not 
permitted by the rules of the service to pass in the night , we came 
suddenly upon a French frigate and her six or seven prizes, taking in 
water on the Malayan shore. The Triton, together with the other two 
ships under the command of Captain Price, of the Royal Charlotte, 
immediately gave chace. The Frenchman cut and run, recalling his 
watering party, who abandoned their casks and some of their boats in 
the utmost confusion. The frigate fled away towards the Straits of 
Sunda, and his prizes were soon overtaken; and, on firing a few guns 
at them, struck their colours, and were one after another taken posses¬ 
sion of. The largest prize, a Dutch corvette of rather a formidable 
appearance, (and a match for any Indiaman single-handed,) which had 
been taken by the Frenchman the day before, after firing a few ill- 
