BLIMBING.

Of the blimbing (Averrhoa carambola) a pentagonal fruit, containing five flattish seeds, and extremely acid, there are two sorts, called penjuru and besi.  The leaves of the latter are small, opposite, and of a sap-green; those of the former grow promiscuously and are of a silver green.  There is also the blimbing bulu (Averrhoa billimbi), or smooth species.  Their uses are chiefly in cookery, and for purposes where a strong acid is required, as in cleaning the blades of their krises and bringing out the damask, for which they are so much admired.  The cheremi (Averrhoa acida) is nearly allied to the blimbing besi, but the fruit is smaller, of an irregular shape, growing in clusters close to the branch, and containing each a single hard seed or stone.  It is a common substitute for our acid fruits in tarts.

KATAPING.

The kataping (Terminalia catappa, L. and Juglans catappa, Lour.) resembles the almond both in its outer husk and the flavour of its kernel; but instead of separating into two parts, like the almond, it is formed of spiral folds, and is developed somewhat like a rosebud, but continuous, and not in distinct laminae.

SPECIES OF CHESTNUT.

The barangan (a species of fagus) resembles the chestnut.  The tree is large, and the nuts grow sometimes one, two, and three in a husk.  The jerring, a species of mimosa, resembles the same fruit, but is larger and more irregularly shaped than the barangan.  The tree is smaller.  The tapus (said to be a new genus belonging to the tricoccae) has likewise some analogy, but more distant, to the chestnut.  There are likewise three nuts in one husk, forming in shape an oblong spheroid.  If eaten unboiled they are said to inebriate.  The tree is large.

(PLATE 7.  THE KAMILING OR BUAH KRAS, Juglans camirium. 
L. Wilkins delt.  Engraved by J. Swaine. 
Published by W. Marsden, 1810.)

KAMILING.

The fruit named kamiri, kamiling, and more commonly buah kras, or the hard fruit (Camirium cordifolium, Gaert. and Juglans camirium, Lour.) bears much resemblance to the walnut in the flavour and consistence of the kernel; but the shell is harder and does not open in the same manner.  The natives of the hills make use of it as a substitute for the coconut, both in their cookery and for procuring a delicate oil.

RATTAN.

The rotan salak (Calamus zalacca, Gaert.) yields a fruit, the pulp of which is sweetish, acidulous, and pleasant.  Its outer coat, like those of the other rotans, is covered with scales, or the appearance of nice basket-work.  It incloses sometimes one, two, and three kernels, of a peculiar horny substance.

CASHEW.

The cashew-apple and nut, called jambu muniet, or monkey-jambu (Anacardium occidentale), are well known for the strong acidity of the former, and the caustic quality of the oil contained in the latter, from tasting which the inexperienced often suffer.