IIISTOKV AND 1 LI.TIVATION OF TIIi: I'l.ANT. 27 



Also from the Coca plant (Enftliroxi/lon coca), a small shrub 

 growing aiul largely ciillivatcd in l*cru and Bolivia, and also in 

 Jamaica and St. Lucia. I'Vom the leaves of the last is extracted 

 the important product Cocaine, which has acquired a place in the 

 first rank of alkaloids of metlicinal value. 



There are also several species of Cocoa all distinct from our 

 cultivated Theobroma Cacao and its varieties, viz. : Thcobroma 

 hiio/or, T. Guiancsis, T. Syhcs/ns, /. Ovatifolia, T. Au<rHstifolia. 

 all natives of tropical regions, extending from Mexico t«> Hra/il. 



A fruit grows on the Seychelles Islands called " Coco de Mer." It is a double 

 cocoa-nut, wei>jhinjj about % cwt. and j^jows on a tree which attains the height of 80 

 or 100 feet. The leaves are proportionately larj^e, averaj^jinij ei^'ht to twenty feet in 

 length, and ten to twelve in breadth. It is not known to be of any commercial value, 

 although General Gordon held the strange belief that it was the " Forbidden Fruit " in 

 the garden of Kden, and th.it the rivers of the Seychelles corresponded with those 

 mentioned in Genesis. 







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