Having collected the fallen pericarps, they carried them to another tree
that stood near, amid whose leafy branches appeared to be no fruits
either so sweet to the lips or dangerous to the skull.

Thither also they transferred their quarters, along with the
paraphernalia brought up from the boat, intending to make a more
permanent encampment under the newly chosen tree.

For the time they kindled no fire, as the weather was warm enough, and
the durions did not require cooking; and while making their mid-day meal
of the raw fruit, Saloo interested them by relating some particulars of
the tree from which it had been obtained.

We shall not follow the Malay's exact words, for, as spoken in "pigeon
English," they would scarce be understood; but shall lay before our
readers some account of this strange and valuable fruit-tree, culled
partly from Saloo's description and partly from other sources.

The durion is a forest tree of the loftiest order, bearing resemblance
to the elm, only with a smooth bark, which is also scaly. It is found
growing throughout most of the islands of the Indian Archipelago; and,
like the mangosteen, does not thrive well in any other part of the
world. This is perhaps the reason its fruit is so little known
elsewhere, as when ripe it will not bear transportation to a great
distance. The fruit is nearly globe-shaped, though a little oval, and
in size equals the largest cocoa-nut.

As the reader already knows, it is of a green colour, and covered with
short stout spines, very sharp-pointed, whose bases touch each other,
and are consequently somewhat hexagonal in shape. With this
_chevaux-de-frise_ it is so completely armed, that when the stalk is
broken close off it is impossible to take up the fruit without having
one's fingers badly pricked. The outer rind is so tough and strong,
that no matter from what height the fruit fall it is never crushed or
broken. From the base of the fruit to its apex, five faint lines may be
traced running among the spines. These form the divisions of the
carpels where the fruit can be cut open with a sharp knife, though
requiring a considerable exertion of strength. The five cells found
within are of a silken white colour, each filled with an oval-shaped
mass of cream-coloured pulp containing several seeds of the size of
chestnuts. The pulp forms the edible portion of the fruit, and its
consistence and flavour are both difficult to be described. Mr
Wall