The mandubi, a fruit which Europe may envy America the possession of,
resembles an almond in oiliness, sweetness, and, with the exception of
the bark, in appearance. It grows under ground from a very beautiful
plant about two feet high, which has a square hairy stalk of a reddish
green colour. Its slender boughs are covered with four small leaves of a
bright green on one side, and a whitish hue on the other, and are
clothed with tender down. At the beginning of the little boughs grow
small yellow flowers with red edges, hanging by a short stem, and
surrounded by three leaflets. The roots of this plant are short,
slender, and tortuous, and on them hang yellow oblong pods with a soft
rind. Each of these pods contains either one or two kernels, (for there
are various species of the mandubi,) beautifully covered with a red
skin, and inclosing a very white and very rich pulp. These kernels,
slightly fried or roasted, are much liked even by Europeans. The oil
expressed from them is used instead of oil of olives, to which indeed it
is superior, on lettuce; and many eat it with food in the place of
butter or beef fat. I have often wished that this excellent fruit grew
in Europe, where it certainly would be useful in many ways.