The Papau

Abstract

I WAS surprised to read Capt. Oliver's statement in NATURE, vol. xx. p. 241, that the papau (Carica papaya) is not eaten by birds in Bourbon and Mauritius. In Samoa it is eaten largely by birds—especially by Sturnoides atrifusca, and also by bats of the genus Pteropus. The seeds of this fruit appear to have been carried by the agency of birds over at least a great portion of the islands. I have seen many places where the virgin forest has been cleared, and in every instance—as far as my memory serves me—a thick crop of Carica appeared as soon as the clearance was made. They do not grow while the forest stands, but spring up in thousands as soon as light is let in to the soil.