24 



COCOA AND CHOCOLATE 



and ovate like a calabash, and there are others, more 

 rare, so " nobbly ' that they are well-named " Alli- 

 gator." The pods vary in length from five to eleven 

 inches, " with here and there the great pod of all, the 

 blood-red sangre-tora." The colours of the pods are 

 as brilliant as they are various. They are rich and strong, 



Cut Pod, revealing the White Pulp 

 round the beans (ceylon.) 



and resemble those of the rind of the pomegranate. 

 One pod shows many shades of dull crimson, another 

 grades from gold to the yellow of leather, and yet 

 another is all lack-lustre pea-green. They may be 

 likened to Chinese lanterns hanging in the woods. One 

 does not conclude from the appearance of the pod that 

 the contents are edible, any more than one would sur- 

 mise that tea-leaves could be used to produce a re- 

 freshing drink. I say as much to the planter, who smiles. 



