JOHNSTON: FLORA OF MARGARITA ISLAND. 271 



a sort of a stone wall about each plant. This contrivance is to prevent 

 the heavy rains from washing all the soil down the hillside. When the 

 crops are mature, the roots are gathered and treated in the customary 

 way, bruised, mashed, and the poisonous juice pressed out. The 

 dried remainder is grated into meal and made into cassava bread 

 which is sold in large, thin, circular disks. 



Indian corn is grown very little upon the island, and then it is used 

 mostly for fodder. A few acres were given up to its cultivation at an 

 altitude of 500 m. in 1901. In 1903, however, the same space was 

 entirely occupied by a rank growth of Cordia cylindristachya and 

 other weeds. 



The bread-fruit tree, Artocarpus incisa, is to be found in Asuncion 

 valley. Bananas and plantains are to be had in moderate amount 

 and only fair in quality. 



Dates grow in sufficient abundance for the needs of the natives. 

 There are probably a half dozen mature trees in El Valle. The foot 

 of the mountain with its moist soil and extremely hot atmosphere is a 

 good place for growing the trees. 



The cashew-nut (Anacardium occidenfale) and the hog-plum 

 (Spondias lutea) are to be found sparingly near Asuncion. 



Maranta arimdinacea, the arrowroot plant, grows in the woods 

 above Asuncion but it is not cultivated. 



The mamon {Melicocca hijuga) and the toco (Crataeva Tapia) are 

 often eaten and sometimes found for sale in the market-place. 



The mango is the most abundant fruit in Margarita and though 

 of inferior quality is largely used by all the people. 



There are orange trees in El Valle, Asuncion, and Tacarigua, those 

 from the last place being superior. The few bitter orange and the 

 lime trees are of little importance. 



Good sapodillas or nisperos grow both in El Valle and at Asuncion. 



A poor quality of pineapple is to be found in the market in season. 

 There are several pineapple fields on the hillsides of El Valle. 



Sugar cane grows well in very few places on the island. There are 

 several small cane-presses, turned either by hand or by burro. The 

 product is for home consumption, and there is not enough of it to 

 supply the people. Most of the sugar that is used is brought over 

 from Cumana in the form of large brown cakes called papelon. The 

 cane-juice may be found in the market in a slightly fermented con- 

 dition when it is known as guarapo. 



