230 
“bud.” The hands are fewer in number than in Banane Malgache, 
and many planters are of opinion that the number ao fingers ” 
serves to distinguish between “Simeroé” and “ St. Jacques,” the 
former being a degenerated type of the latter, and the whole bunch 
being replaced by one or two enormous fingers. These three 
plantains possess a tall pseudo-stem with reddish blotches along the 
petioles and the upper part of the stem. This colouring of the 
stem and petioles is exactly the same in the three varieties, and is 
more or less pronounced according to exposure to the sun, The 
three plantains in question are badly attacked by the weevil, and 
are mostly cultivated in rich ground, being more exacting than th 
ered more common varieties. 
There is ei — of as Congo type called locally 
Bane “ Barbare” which is eaten raw. Its fingers are sometimes 
quite as long as thoes of Banane Maleuie or St. J acques, but the 
stem possesses blackish blotches, and the leaves are generally 
broader and longer than in the other two types. This plantain is 
also shee stte by the weevil. 
other bananas are generally eatenraw, except when unripe, 
and ats no other cheap food, such as cassava, &c., is available. 
anane “ Mille.”—This is a tall labia of the Malay type 
which is very hardy and not attacked by the weevil. The pseudo- 
stem possesses blackish blotches, and the bunch is very long with 
large numbers of short fingers; hence its name. The bunch is 
“elephant’s trunk” banana. But this is a case of teratology which 
has been described elsewhere as well. The fingers develope near the 
stem end of the stalk, then a few flowers remain sterile, and after a 
time other Asiicve develope into a secondary bunch along the same 
stalk. This variety is very often planted and the fruits exported, 
as even in the oe ited stage of growth the bunches keep a long time 
and turn ye 
7. Banane “ OM ignonne ”—This is a delicious small banana which 
is said to have been satis from Reunion Island. The plant 
is tall, and the pseudo-stem is coloured brown. The fingers are 
small, ‘put the flesh is hard and highly flavoured. It is a favourite 
on ate table together with the two following varieties. 
. Banane “ Tahiti”—A very small banana which is delicious 
ea considered best for the table. It was introduced from Mauri- 
tius. The plant is intermediate between plantains and dw 
bananas, and the stem is slender like all the other parts of the 
plant ; psendo-stem browni 
9. Banane “ Gingeli” or “ Fi igue ”—Introduced also from Reunion 
or Mauritius. A delicious fruit, and much bigger than a“ goeher 
two varieties. Its oe is however limited owing to the tacks 
10, Banane “Carré” —The fruits of this variety possess four 
pronounced ridges—hence its name. They are loosely cluste 
on the bunch and generally eaten cooked. They produce a good 
yellow-coloured starch on being dried. The pseudo-stem is light 
green in colour, with green blotches on the lower part of the 
petioles, 
