The alligator pear is of the ſhape of an Engliſh bell pear, but is much larger. There are two ſorts of this fruit, the one of a purple-coloured rind, the other of a pale green: the latter is the largeſt, and moſt eſteemed. They are excellent fruit, and are greedily eaten by all kinds of animals; for even horſes, who are in general not fond of fruit, will eagerly eat them. This is the fruit which is called in the Weſt Indies "Vegetable marrow," from its rich melting taſte, and it is juſtly reckoned the beſt and moſt wholeſome fruit of the country.
Some people eat them with ſalt and black pepper, others with lime-juice and ſyrup, and ſome without either; but the generality of the French eat them with fiſh or fleſh, with which they are very reliſhing. The ſeed of the alligator pear, which is nearly one-third part of the fruit, and ſhakes within it when ripe, has the appearance of the inſide part of a horſe-
