or Sapota Plum: a genus of the monogyne order, belonging to the hexandria clas of plants; and ranking in the 43rd Natural Order, Duoflora.

The characters are: The calyx is a perianthium, consisting of six ovate concave erect leaflets, the exterior ones broader and shorter, the interior ones coloured. The corolla is composed of one ovate petal, the height of the calyx; the border divided into six segments. Achras

Achyranthes.

segments. The stamens have six short subulated filaments at the throat of the corolla; and the antherae are acute. The pistillum has a roundish depressed germen; the style is subulate, and longer than the corolla; the stigma is obtuse. The pericarpium is a globular twelve-celled pome, with very soft flesh. The seeds are solitary, ovate, and globose.

There are four species, all natives of the West Indies. The principal are, 1. The sapota, with oblong oval leaves, and smooth turbinated fruit. 2. The mammofo, 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. They grow 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 of a cream colour; and are succeeded by large oval fruit covered by a brownish skin, inclosing a thick pulp of a russet colour, very luscious, and called natural marmalade, from its resemblance to that of quinces. The stones taken in emulsion are reckoned good against the gravel.—These trees being natives of very hot climates, cannot be preserved in this country except in the warmest houses.