ACHRAS, a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the hexandria class of plants. There are three species; the most remarkable of which are, 1. The sapota, with oblong oval leaves, and smooth turbinated fruit. 2. The mammosa, with spear-shaped
leaves, and large oval fruit. The first is common about Panama, and some places in the Spanish West Indies, but is not to be found in any of the British settlements in America. The second sort is very common in Jamaica, Barbadoes, and most of the West India islands, where the trees are planted in the gardens for their fruit, which is by many persons greatly esteemed. It grows to the height of 35 or 40 feet, having a straight trunk covered with an ash-coloured bark. The branches are produced on every side, forming a regular head; and are beset with leaves near a foot long, and almost three inches broad in the middle. The flowers are a cream colour; and are succeeded by large oval fruits, covered by a brownish skin, inclosing a thick pulp of a ruffet colour, very luscious, and called natural marmalade, from its resemblance to that of quinces.—These trees being natives of very hot climates, cannot be preserved in this country except in the warmest stoves.