Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0458
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[Page 458]
354.
Some account of Savu
Lengh & scarcely so large as a mans finger the outside is coverd with a very thin skin of a light green colour & in the inside are a few seeds disposd in the form of a star it flavour is a light but very clean & pleasant acid it cannot be eat raw but is said to be excellent in Pickles we stewd it & made sower sauce to our Stews &bouilli which was very gratefull to the taste & no doubt possest no small share of antescorbutick virtues But what seems to be the genuine natural production of the Island & which they have in the greatest abundance & take the most care of is the Fan Palm or Toddy tree (Borassus flabellifer).
[Margin note] Fan palm
large groves of these trees are to be seen in all parts of the Island under which other crops as Maize indigo &c. are planted so that in reality they take up no room tho the yeild the treble advantage of fruit Liquor & sugar all but especialy the two last in great profusion besides which the leaves serve to thatch their houses & to make baskets umbrellas or rather conical bonnets Cups Tobacca-pipes &c &c.