234 NATURAL HISTORY. 



arrived at maturity, bursts with a slight report. Al- 

 though cotton is a native of Persia and the East Indies, 

 it is now cultivated in the south of Europe, and forms a 

 most important object of American agriculture. It 

 requires a good soil, and to be kept clear of weeds. In 

 October, when the pods, fully ripe, have burst open, 

 they are pulled, and left to dry. The cotton is then 

 picked out, freed from seeds, packed in large bales, and 

 sent forth as a valuable article of commerce. There is 

 another family of the cotton plant, having black seeds, 

 and yellow wool, from which the genuine nankeen is 

 made. h. 



FOURTEENTH FAMILY. NUCIFERA. (CLASS 18, L.) 

 We shall only mention one of this class. 



The Cocoa-nut tree (Theobroma cacao). This tree, 

 which seldom reaches a height of twenty feet, is a native 

 of America ; the branches are slender ; the leaves, of 

 a light green color, are about a span in length, and have 

 a very long foot-stalk ; the flowers are small and white ; 

 fruit, at first dark yellow, but, when ripe, spotted with 

 brown : grows principally on the stem and larger branches ; 

 resembles a melon in form ; contains a sweet, succulent, 

 marrow-like substance, in wbich are found from thirty to 

 forty kernels, about tbe size of a large bean, and of a 

 pale violet color. Taken from the nuts, these seeds are 

 left lying in heaps for a few days, in order to foment. 

 Their color is now changed to a reddish-brown, in which 

 state they are ready for exportation, and being almost 

 entirely oleaginous, are called' Cocoa Butter. The Car- 

 accas cocoa is considered best, as it is more aromatic, and 

 less greasy. It is easily distinguished by its lighter 

 color. Moreover, if the cocoa-beans are mealy and bitter, 

 they are roasted over a fire, ground or beaten, and mixed 



