74 THE PALMS OF ASIA. 



name "cocoa" is probably a contraction, or 

 rather corruption of the Portuguese word 

 macoco, or macaco, a monkey, and is supposed 

 to have been given from the resemblance 

 between the end of the shell of the fruit, where 

 the three black scars are, and the face of a 

 monkey. The natives say that the cocoa nut 

 is a tree delighting in the society of man ; and 

 it is certain that it thrives best near his dwell- 

 intrs, since it is the custom of the people to 

 deposit the refuse of their huts at the foot of 

 the tree. It is found all over the tropical parts 

 of the world, especially in the vicinity of the 

 sea, growing within the reach of salt water, and 

 establishing itself upon reefs and sand-banks as 

 soon as they emerge from the ocean.* Its prin- 

 cipal range is said by Mr. Marshall to be 

 between the equator and the 25th parallel of 

 latitude, and in the equinoctial zone it appears 

 to extend to an altitude of about 2,900 feet 

 above the sea level. Its great importance to 

 man has caused it to be cultivated wherever 

 the climate is favourable to its growth, and 



* So partial docs tliis palm appear to be to tlie presence of 

 salt, Uiat wlicii cocoa nut trees arc planted on the mainland of 

 Sfiuth America, or in the missions of the Orinoco, at a distance 

 from Uic sea, a considcrahle (juanlity of salt, as much as half 

 a bushel, is thrown into the hole that receives the nut.— //««- 

 bohlVs Personal Narralifc, 



