This spreading evergreen tree is a native of Tropical America. In the Hawaiian Islands, the first trees of its kind were said to have been planted in Pauoa Valley, Oahu, by Don Marin. It attains a height of from 10 to 40 feet, and is adverse to drought. Its leaves are elliptico-oblong, from 4 to 7 inches in length. The flowers are greenish-yellow and downy. The fruit, which ripens from June until November, is a round or pear-shaped drupe, covered with a thin, rather tough skin, which is either green or purple in color. The flesh is yellow, firm and marrow-like, and has a delicious nutty flavor. The seed-cavity is generally large, containing one round or oblong seed, covered by a thin, brown, parchment-like skin. The quality of the pear is judged, not only by its flavor, but by the presence or absence of strings or fibre in the meat, and also by the quantity of flesh as compared to the size of the seed. Innumerable variations as to size, shape, and quality have been produced from seedlings--some of which may be seen in the accompanying illustration. The Avocado is easily reproduced by budding and grafting, and the best varieties may be obtained in this manner. [Illustration: PLATE II.--_Avocado._ One third natural size.] _G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE III _Persea gratissima._ GUATAMALA AVOCADO. This variety is a native of Mexico, and although known as the Guatamala Avocado, it is more commonly to be found in the markets of the City of Mexico. Its leaves are purplish-green. The flowers, which appear in May and June, are like those of the preceding variety; and the drupe, which matures in the early part of the year, has a long stem. This fruit is round, from 3 to 5 inches in diameter, has a thick, tough, rough rind, which when ripe is a deep claret color, and the meat, which is a golden-yellow, is tinged with purple next to the rind, and is free from strings or fibres. There are but two trees of this variety bearing fruit in Honolulu. They were propagated from seeds brought here in 1890 by Admiral Beardsley. These two trees are growing in private gardens. [Illustration: PLATE III.--_Guatamala Avocado._ One half natural size.] _G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE IV _Punica Granatum._ POMEGRANATE.