ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

S U M A T R A . 8i
Fruits, Flowers^ Medicinal Shrubs and Herbs.
u ±\ ATURE, fays a celebrated writer, feems to have taken a pleafore
in aflembling in the Malay iflands, her mod favorite productions"—
and with truth I think it may be affirmed,, that no country upon earth
can boaft an equal abundance and variety of indigenous fruits; for
though the whole of the following lift cannot be reckoned as fuch, yet
there is every reafon to conclude that by far the greater part may, as
the natives can hardly be fufpected of having taken much pains to
import exotics, who never appear to beftow the fmalleft labor, in improving,
or even cultivating, thofe which they poflefs. The larger
number grow wild, and the reft are planted in a carelefs, irregular manner,
without any inclofure, about the fkirts of their villages.
The Mangufteen (inangeei) has, by general confent, obtained the
preeminence amongft Indian fruits, in the opinion of Europeans.
It is the pride of the Malay iflands, and perhaps the moft delicate fruit
in the world; but not rich or lufcious. It is a drupe, confifting of a
foft, fucculent, and thick rind, encompaffing kernels which are covered
with a juicy, and perfectly white fubftance, which is the part eaten, or
fucked rather, as it diffolves in the mouth. They are extremely innocent
in their qualities, and may be eaten in any quantity without danger
of a furfeit, or other bad effects. The returns of its feafon are very
irregular..
The Dcorean. This is the favorite of the natives, who live almoft
wholly upon it, during the time it continues in feafon. It is a rich fruit,
but ftrong in the tafte, offenfive in the fmell to-thofe who are not accuftomed
to it, and of a very heating quality. The tree is large and lofty;
the leaves are fmall in proportion, but in themfelves long and pointed..
The bloffoms grow in clufters, on the item and larger branches. The
•petals are five, of a yellowifh white, furrounding five bunches of ftami-
Stf, each bunch containing about twelve, and each ftamen having four
Y antherse..