Abacati., Laurus Persea:—The fruit of this tree contains a butterous substance, which is very pleasant; there are two kinds or varieties, one of which is distinguished by the name of Cayenne.
Bacuri, Moronobea esculenta:—This tree grows to a great height; and the stem is entirely without branches, forming at the top a large cope. The fruit is nearly of the size of an orange, but it is oval and contains 23 stones covered with a white pulp, which have a pleasant taste, being sweet, and somewhat acid. In Pernambuco is to be found another species of the same genus, growing in marshes, which is commonly called gulandim; on cutting into the stem a white juice oozes out, which appears to me to be resinous, and perhaps might be applied to some use. Both these species are described in my Centuria of the new genera and species of the plants of Pernambuco.
Bacaba, Areca Bacaba:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern. This palm tree is a species of areca oleracea, producing however larger fruit; the nut is covered with a mucilaginous pulp, from which the inhabitants of the places in which it grows make an excellent beverage, called bacabada or ticuara de bacabas.
Abacaxi, Bromelia:—There are three varieties of ananas at Maranham, called abacaxi; of one the fruit is white, and the leaves are not serrated; of another the fruit is of a purple colour, and the leaves spiny; the third I have not seen. I brought the two first varieties to Pernambuco, where they have been planted, and are already becoming common, and they have been forwarded by some patriotic persons to other provinces. Their flavour is much superior to that of the species which has been long well known.
Maracuja Mamam, Passiflora Alata.
Plants of Seara.
Piqui, Acantacaryx Pinguis:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern. This plant produces most abundantly a fruit of the size of an orange, of which the pulp is oily, feculous, and very nourishing. It is the delight of the inhabitants of Searà and Piauhi. The tree grows to the height of fifty feet, and is of proportionate thickness. The timber of it is of as good quality as that of the cicopira, for ship-building. It grows well in the sandy plains which are in Pernambuco called taboleiros, and in Piauhi chapadas, therefore its cultivation would be very advantageous in the taboleiros bordering the coast, which are at present of no service. It has afforded great assistance to the people in times of drought and famine.
Buriti, An Borassus?—This species of palm is one of the highest and most beautiful of trees; it grows only in bogs and marshes; the fruit is of the size of a hen’s egg, and of the same form; it is of a red colour at the time of maturation, and is covered with scales spirally arranged. Under the scales is found a layer of oily pulp of the same red colour, from which the inhabitants of Piauhi obtain an emulsion; when this is mixed with sugar, it becomes a substantial drink, which is by no means unpleasant. However, if it is used to excess, the colour of the fruit is communicated to the surface of the skin, and to the white of the eyes, producing the appearance of jaundice, but without any injury to the health.
Maracuja Suspiro, Passiflora:—This is the finest flavoured fruit of the genus; it is called suspiro, because one of them may be swallowed at once, leaving upon the palate a most exquisite taste and a sweet smell. It is to be found in the Serra de Beruoca, upon the borders of Acaracù.[274]