HISTORY AND CULTIVATION OF THE I'LANT. 1 3 



numl>cr from iwcniy lo forty, ami arc cmbccldcci in a soft jiinky- 

 whilc aciil pulp. I'hc cocoa tree, while ^rowin^ in that porti<jn of 

 the earth wherein the Ik.mI is gre.itesl, yet re(juires a sheltered 

 situation for its perfection. 



A writer in Ihlgravia graphically describes the beauty of a 

 Cocoa plantation with its luscious fruit : — 



" The branches do not grow low, so that in looking ihnvn a piece 

 of ground the vista is like a miniature forest hung with thous.inds 

 of goklen lamps — anything more knely cannot be imagined. 



" The Krythrina, or Cor.il-lree, or Cacao M.itlre. are first 

 planted to protect the young Cocoa tree from the sun. The Coral 

 tree grows to about the height of sixty feet and entirely drops 

 its leaves about the end of March, and then becomes covered with 

 flowers of a bright crimson, and shafted like a scimitar. .\l this 

 season an extensive pl.iin covered with Cocoa plantations is a 

 magnificent object when viewed from a height. The lops of the 

 far-stretching Erythrina then present the appearance of being 

 clothed with flames. As we rode along in admiration of the lavish 

 profusion of nature, we, for the first time since we left the San 

 Juan river. s;iw the Toucan, and one or two other varieties of new 

 and brilliant birds. They were very tame, ioul evidently fell at 

 home among the Cocoa groves. Connected with Senor 

 Hurtados' establishment is a large and exceedingly well-kept 

 Cocoa plantiition. The m;i7.y walks were wide and clean, and so 

 effectually r(X)fed in by the broad tops of the cacao-madre that one 

 might almost iniiigine oneself within the spacious aisles of some 

 grand natural temple. 



