Evening star., 1902-08-14

finds many uses in the domestic economy
OF the natives. One Of the many dulces or
sweets the tropics-are famous for is made
from 1t. and the wine pressed from II, re-
sembling claret in taste and color. has
sale in Europe The tree resembles the
apple tree. A popularity of the fruit is
that the seed is on the outside, at one end.
The juice makes deep stain, hard to re-
move. The natives say 1t will not go away
until the leaves fall from the tree. The
mamon Is one OF the most delicious OF
fruits. II is pear-shaped, of the size OF the
largest apple. When ripe 1t decays quickly
and 1t will not ripen If picked green. For
that reason Ii would not stand shipment.
1t is called by the English cream fruit, and
it has the consistency and flavor of vanilla
ice cream. When thoroughly. cooled II Is
quite refreshing The guanabana resem-
bles the mamon, but is larger and has
prickly exterior. 1t is generally made INTO
an 'en salado' with sugar and rum.
1.-The nispero is palatable. The sapotie is
of the same family, but larger. The seed
is large and very rich In vegetable oil.
which is extracted for domestic use. Many
or these fruits mature In February or
March, but nature Is so kind there that
every month has its ripe edible fruits The
1agua resembles the sapotie and may be nu-
trittous, but as II is almost tasteless II is
seldom eaten. The caimita resembles the
orange in shape, though IL does not lose its
green exterior when ripe The tree is one
OF fuxuriant foliage, dense and widespread
ing The leaf is small and peculiar in that
the top is a. bright green, while the lower
side is a dark brown.
Guayava and Tamarind.
The guayava Is the tropical fruit famous
for the dulces and jellies of that name
The fruit is sometimes eaten raw, but it
has more seeds to the square inch than a
dried blackberry, and for that reason is not
popular in that shape. The dulces are
found on every table with the cheese and
coffee, and every street corner has its ven-
dor OF guayava dulceS. The tamarindo is
the tamarind of American commerce. II
can hardly be called a food, yet II is much
used in a pulpy drink. They have one
fruit called the hobo. the name rather sug-
gestive, that is much eaten raw. but never
cooked. The plantain, a species of banana
or rather the reverse is true is an import
ant article of food 1t contains much more
nutriment than flour and is ahead of the
potato in this respect. 1t is very delicious
Tried and baked dry it is the bread of the
interior. 1t is remarkable how quickly a
bread with his coffee. No butter is used
with 1t, and. in fact. very little is used at
any time.
Food From Roots.
There are dozens of these comparatively
unknown fruits. Besides, the earth Yields
up her wealth of roots. The best friend of
the native is the palm. whose firm, white
pith has the taste and appearance of cab
bage. 1t is called palm cabbage The bark
furnishes the walls of the houses and the
leaves the roofs, the hats and some of the
garments. The casSava bread comes from
a root rich in starch, and the round large
cakes. about the size of a barrel top are
found in every home. The cassava flour is
poisonous as dough, as 1t contains much
hydrocyanic acid. This is very volatile and
the heat Of baking expels it.
1t is not surprising that foreigners fall
into life of idle luxury in a few years
when compelled to live in the tropics, and
there are many of them there without am
btion to break away from the eneryating
temptations, who would not give up the
dreamy. careless life if they could. Con-
slider the effect of four hundred or more
years of heredity on people who themselves
beiong to tropical race in great part and
you will conclude that you have a distinct
and new set of questions to meet in your
tropical possessions