BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS 63 



liable to the disease of hypertrophied twigs, generally 

 called " witch-broom," and in this regard its presence 

 in the forest may be considered as dangerous. Most 

 probably it is also attacked by this disease in the 

 forests of Para. 



Theobroma microcarpa, Mart. This species, which 

 occurs on the Upper Amazon, is distinguished from all 

 other species of Theobroma by its very small fruits. It 

 has no practical value. 



T/ieobroma grandiflora (Wild.), K. Schum. This 

 is a large tree with rather large flowers, which has been 

 found on the Upper Amazon and in the province of Par& 

 (Brazil), where it seems to be known under the name 

 " cupuassie." So far as is known the seeds are not 

 used in any way. 



Theobroma subincana, Mart. This species has been 

 collected in Brazil (Rio Negro), Peru, Guiana (?) and 

 Mexico. It is little known, and does not seem to have 

 any practical value. 



Theobroma angustifolia, Sess. et Moc. (D. C.). 

 This species, like T. bicolor, was for many years re- 

 garded as producing a cocoa of high quality, and was 

 said to contribute to the famous " Soconusco cacao" 

 (Mexico) and the not less renowned " Esmeraldas 

 cacao" (Ecuador). It has, however, no commercial 

 value. 



Theobroma balaensis, Preuss. Preuss 1 found this 

 species on a cocoa plantation near Balao in Ecuador. 

 The sugary pulp which surrounds the seeds has an 

 agreeable sour-sweet taste and is therefore appreciated 

 by the inhabitants, who call this tree " cacao del 

 monte." Otherwise this species has no practical 

 value. 



Theobroma albiflora, Gond. According to Gondot, 

 who collected this species near Mazo (Colombia), the 

 seeds are mixed with those of the commercial cocoa 

 for home use ; they are said to improve the taste of 

 the chocolate. The seeds are also used, unmixed, for 



1 Preuss, Expedition, pp. 80, 253. 



