SUB-VARIETIES. 41 



the horizontal, drooping tendency so characteristic of the 

 latter, being also hardier and more prolific. The leaves 

 are proportionately large, varying in length from eight to 

 fifteen inches and in many instances from four to five 

 inches in width at their widest part. They are dark-green 

 in color, leathery in texture, and instead of the wedge- 

 shaped base, narrowing as it approaches the petitole or 

 stalk ; it more resembles the continuation of the extremity 

 of the leaf itself. The flowers are also fewer, never more 

 than six to eight in a cluster, are much larger, but devoid 

 of fragrance. The fruit, as may be inferred from the 

 tree-like habits of this species, is extremely large, averag- 

 ing an inch to an inch and a quarter in length, ellipsoidal 

 in form, and characteristically pointed at both ends. It 

 lacks the bright red color of the Arabian variety, when 

 ripe, being commonly of a dull red, approaching brown, 

 becoming black as it dries. The pulp is also thicker, 

 fibrous and more fleshy, but lacking in succulence, and 

 cannot be eaten ; the parchment being hard and brittle, 

 dark-brown in color and never clear. The testa, or 

 silver-skin, is much stronger, tougher, and more tightly 

 rolled into the deep, narrow furrow on the face. The 

 seed or bean is also extremely large in size, peculiar in 

 form, what is known as " male " or " pea-berry " in 

 form is dark-brown in color, solid and heavy in weight 

 and exceedingly strong in flavor. Taken altogether, the 

 wide divergence in the general appearance and habits of 

 this variety, the culture of the leaves, lesser number of 

 flowers, size, weight, color, peculiar formation, and other 

 characteristics, stamp it as a distinct species of the genus 

 Coffea. 



Increasing attention is lately being devoted to this 

 species. It is a native of Liberia, and is to be found 

 growing wild in great abundance along the whole of the 



