PORTO RICAN FORMS. 27 



!Manfjotreos are ooinmon about Sail Juan, ])ut this rooion is so moist 

 that the trees are not prolitic aiul the fruit is freciuently det'ornied and 

 spotted. 



PORTO KICAN FORMS. 



There are a great many forms of the mano-o in Porto Rico, but at 

 present their classitieation is litth? more than a list of names. The 

 same name is applied in different parts of the island to distinct fruits, 

 and, again, what appears to be the same form will receive distinct 

 names in different localities. In any given market, however, consid- 

 erable agreement will be found as to the terminology of forms, though 

 the fruit is evidently picked in bulk and sorted before being ottered 

 for sale. In some markets this is carried nuich farther than in others. 

 The fruit of the same tree seems always to be very nearly uniform, 

 but as the mango comes true to seed only to a limited extent and the 

 fruit in Porto Rico is all from seedlings, an almost endless variety is 

 naturally to be expected. 



True varieties— that is, varieties propagated by asexual methods — do 

 not exist in Porto Rico, and the following descriptions are intended 

 to assist in fixing the vague terminology of the market forms and if 

 possible to stinudate further observation as to whether these come true 

 to seed. These forms should not be confused either with true horti- 

 cultural varieties or, until further investigation, with races that are 

 known to come true to seed. 



The forms described below are those that fell under immediate 

 notice, the name most commonh' in use being appended. 



Mango de Mayaguez (PI. VII). — A small vellow form, with compara- 

 tively large seed, but with good flavor, soft flesh, and few fibers. This 

 form, for sale in the San Juan markets, is considered one of the finest. 

 It has very little of the turpentine taste, but its flavor did not appear 

 to be an}" better than that of several others, while its small size and thin 

 flesh make it seem on the whole inferior. In shape it is as3nnmetrical, 

 with depressed stem. The color in the early part of the season is a 

 uniform yellow; later many specimens were seen with one side red. 



Mangotina (PI. VIII, fig. 4). — A ver}" small yellow form, with one 

 side red. Similar to the Mango de Mayaguez seen at San Juan but 

 longer, with rounder base and the stigmatic point nearer the apex. 



Melocoton ''^ peach'''' mango (PI. VIII, fig. 1). — A small yellow and red 

 form seen at Yauco, said to have come from grafted stock brought 

 from Martinique. Base yqyy square, stem slightl}" depressed, skin 

 thin, meat with very few fibers, mild in flavor. 



Mango de rom (PI. VIII, fig. 2). — A nearly spherical form seen at 

 Yauco, 3'ellow in color, with one side a beautiful red. The skin is 

 very thin, the meat comparatively free from fiber, very mild and 

 pleasant, without a trace of the turpentine flavor. 



