FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 165 



the seed by MM. Ed. Heckel and Fr. Schlagden- 

 hauffen, "who have found that they do actually 

 contain more caffein than the best samples of coffee 

 that could be procured, and that this base is altogether 

 free and uncombined — not therefore, as in the coffee- 

 berry, united with an organic base ; secondly, that 

 they contain a very appreciable quantity of theo- 

 bromine,* which assists the action of caffein and 

 possesses similar properties to that base ; thirdly, 

 which is an important fact, that they contain a con- 

 siderable quantity of glycose,t of which cacao presents 

 no trace ; fourthly, that the quantity of starch present 

 is three times greater than that contained in theo- 

 broma, which explains its nutritive value ; fifthly, that 

 there is but little fat, in which respect it differs notably 

 from cacao ; and lastly, that they contain a special 

 form of tannin, which approximates caffeo-tannic acid 

 in its composition, and a red colouring matter, very 

 similar to that named Payen cacao-red." 



"The physiological examination of this substance 

 has shown that its properties are essentially due to 

 the caffein and theobromine it contains." 



" The seeds, it appears, have long been used in 

 Soudan and Western Africa for the relief or cure of 

 diseases of intestine and liver, and especially in cases 

 of atony of the digestive tract ; also as a masticatory 



* Theobromine — alkaloid of Theobroma cacao — a plant of 

 same order as cola nut. 

 t Grape sugar. 



