In the society islands.

The breadfruit grows on a tree that is about the size of a middling oak; its leaves are frequently a foot and a half long, of an oblong shape, deeply sinuated like those of the fig-tree, which they resemble in consistence and colour, and in the exuding of a white milky juice upon being broken.  The fruit is about the size and shape of a child’s head, and the surface is reticulated not much unlike a truffle:  it is covered with a thin skin, and has a core about as big as the handle of a small knife.  The eatable part lies between the skin and the core; it is as white as snow, and somewhat of the consistence of new bread:  it must be roasted before it is eaten, being first divided into three or four parts.  Its taste is insipid, with a slight sweetness somewhat resembling that of the crumb of wheaten bread mixed with a Jerusalem artichoke.

Pages 80, 81.  See also the plate there and at page 232.

Of the many vegetables that have been mentioned already as serving them for food, the principal is the breadfruit, to procure which costs them no trouble or labour but climbing a tree.  The tree which produces it does not indeed shoot up spontaneously, but if a man plants ten of them in his lifetime, which he may do in about an hour, he will as completely fulfil his duty to his own and future generations as the native of our less temperate climate can do by ploughing in the cold winter, and reaping in the summer’s heat, as often as these seasons return; even if, after he has procured bread for his present household, he should convert a surplus into money, and lay it up for his children.

It is true indeed that the breadfruit is not always in season; but coconuts, bananas, plantains, and a great variety of other fruits supply the deficiency.  Page 197.

Extract from the account of captain cook’s last voyage.

In the society islands.

I (Captain Cook) have inquired very carefully into their manner of cultivating the breadfruit tree at Otaheite; but was always answered that they never planted it.  This indeed must be evident to everyone who will examine the places where the young trees come up.  It will be always observed that they spring from the roots of the old ones which run along near the surface of the ground.  So that the breadfruit trees may be reckoned those that would naturally cover the plains, even supposing that the island was not inhabited, in the same manner that the white-barked trees, found at Van Diemen’s Land, constitute the forests there.  And from this we may observe that the inhabitant of Otaheite, instead of being obliged to plant his bread, will rather be under the necessity of preventing its progress; which I suppose is sometimes done to give room for trees of another sort, to afford him some variety in his food.  Volume 2 page 145.