[17] The macupa (Eugenio malaccensis--Linn.) is about the size of a sweet pepper and of somewhat the same shape, rather larger and quite red in color, but more lustrous; bitter-sweet in taste, somewhat agreeable, but has no solid flesh which can be eaten. The proper season for the fruit is April, May, and June. The leaves of the tree have medicinal properties. The balimbing (Averrhora carambola--Linn.) has the odor of a quince, and is used by the natives as food with dry fish or meat. There are several varieties, and the flesh is watery. It makes an excellent preserve, and is a good sea food. See Delgado's Historia, pp. 505, 506, 512; and Census of Philippines, iv, pp. 124-126; also, for the paho, santol, and papaw (papaya), our VOL. XIII, p. 141, note 20, VOL. XVI, p. 87, note 72, and VOL. XXI, p. 144, note 36. [18] See VOL. XVI, p. 87, note 72. See also Census of Philippines, p. 125. [19] Athanasius Kircher was born near Fulda, Germany, in 1602, and became a Jesuit novice at the age of sixteen. He was for several years a teacher in the Jesuit college at Wurtzburg, but was driven to France (1632) by the war then waging in Germany. Having spent some time at Avignon, he was sent to Rome, where he died on November 27, 1680. He was one of the most illustrious writers in the Jesuit order; see list of his works in Sommervogel's Bibliothèque, iv, cols. 1046-1077. They embrace a wide range of subjects--science, mathematics, Egyptian hieroglyphics, archæology, etc. The allusion in the text is probably to Kircher's China monumentis (Rome, 1667). [20] The small sapota or chico zapote (Achras sapota--Linn.) was, according to Delgado, peculiar to Nueva España. The tree is tall, wide-spreading, and tufted. Delgado also describes another variety called zapote prieto (Diospyros ebenaster--Retz), of which there are two varieties, one white and one black, which he declares to be natives of Nueva España. The Census of Philippines says, however, that they are natives of China. The fruit resembles a medium-sized apple, and has a green exterior. A pleasant preserve is made of it. See Delgado's Historia, pp. 517, 518, and Census of Philippines, iv, p. 126. [21] Ates (Anona squamosa--Linn.) is a fruit somewhat resembling in appearance a small pineapple. Its exterior is green and the interior white, and it contains many beautiful bright seeds. It is aromatic and delicate in flavor, and mild and pleasant to the taste. It is heating in its effects. Oranges of various indigenous species are found, among them being several wild species--one of the latter, the amumuntay (citrus histrix), being twelve or thirteen inches in circumference and very juicy and bitter. There are seven varieties of lemons, some of superior quality. See Delgado's Historia, pp. 519, 520, 548-560; Census of Philippines, iv, pp. 124-126; our VOL. V, p. 169, and VOL. XVI, p. 87, note 72.