In the Trades, the Tropics & the Roaring Forties. Popular Ed (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 Excerpt: ...Bog Walk, and.across the island; an undertaking which is, I believe, accompanied by extraordinary difficulty. Nothing could exceed this gentleman's kindness; and nothing could have been more welcome to us poor famished travellers than the good breakfast which was speedily placed before us. One of the luxuries which perhaps we enjoyed the most was the breeze wafted by the punkah, a contrivance which I wonder is not more frequently used in these hot climates; for the heat is at least as severe as it is in China and Japan. Mr. Campbell told me, much to my astonishment, that he and another East Indian were the only people who have introduced punkahs into their houses here. At last, after much delay, the whole of our party having arrived and breakfasted, horses and carriages were brought out to take us on our way. While we were waiting, we had time to admire the trees in Mr. Campbell's garden, particularly the akee, a large tree somewhat resembling a mango, bearing glossy green leaves and large pod-shaped fruit. The fruit that was ripe was of a brilliant scarlet or crimson, while the colour of that which had not reached maturity, shaded backwards (if one may say so) through every gradation of lemon and green, according to its degree of maturity. Its flavour is delicious; but it is not fit to bo eaten until it bursts spontaneously, showing its soft, spongy, creamy centre, called the 'ariel'which encloses three black seeds. This central portion is -xcellent, either as a vegetable or a fruit; but, on the other hand, should anyone be rash enough to removo the outer covering, instead of waiting for it to ripen and burst, however ripe and tempting it may look, it will be found to be a deadly poison. Three members of an English family, a mother and two little girl...