COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 199 
Manis.—This name seems to be unknown at San Juan, but Captain Hansard 
became acquainted with the variety in the vicinity of Luquillo, and declares it to 
be the best in the island, describing it as more substantial and yet with a more 
delicate flavor. There are at least three slightly different varieties. The indi- 
vidual fruits are small, only 4 or 5 inches in length, like the *‘ datile’’ and ‘* pina.”’ 
A medium-sized tree with rather few leaves; the stem becomes superficially red 
with age. There is another similar variety, coarser and larger, and not tasting 
so well. Perhaps this is the ‘‘ nino,’ a name unknown to Captain Hansard. 
Manzano.—Specimens of this variety were kindly sent to us by Mr. Graham, 
of Ponce, under the name guineos de manzana. These were of a very bright yel- 
low color, with a very thin and delicate skin, fine and soft texture, and very pleas- 
ant taste, with a distinct flavor of apple. Anover-ripe apple is perhaps suggested, 
but the banana texture and flavor overcome any objection of that kind, and there 
is no mealiness or unpleasant aftertaste. This is, in short, an exceedingly fine 
fruit, but one which is looked upon as a delicacy rather than a regular product. 
In the unripe state the manzana is said to be particularly astringent, but this 
quality disappears with maturity. The tree is somewhat smaller than that of the 
nino and other varieties except the dwarf. The bunches of the manzana are gen- 
erally small, seldom reaching 100 fruits. 
Martinico.—According to Mr. Mead this name is used on the south side of the 
island for the variety more commonly known as “‘ gigantes,’’ the gros Michel or 
Jamaica banana. 
Mata hambre.—See Mafafo. 
Morado.—See Morado colorado. 
Morado blanco.—Like the morado colorado in taste, form, texture, etc., but 
green, not becoming red, bet yellow when ripe. 
Morado colorado. ai very large, red variety. Captain Heeard has seen 
bunches of 100, of which the smallest fruit was 84 inches (21 centimeters) in cir- 
cumference, the largest over 9 inches (22 centimeters). The tree is the largest of 
any of the varieties ‘and is on this account desirable for shade, but the fruit is not 
liked by the people of Porto Rico, hence there is no local market. 
Nino.— Yellow, short, slender, slightly angular: taste very sweet, without acid 
or unpleasantness; trees about same size as the large varieties. 
Pina.—See Guineo de piiia. 
Plantain.—In English this name is used either as a general term for all the 
banana-like fruits or, more commonly, it is restricted to the coarser varieties which 
are inedible without cooking. 
1atano.—Used alone, this name seems to refer in Porto Rico to the long plan- 
tain and not to the short plaintain, or ‘‘ mafafo.”’ 
The platano is eaten only in the cooked condition, being generally sliced and 
fried, although often boiled or combined with other materials. The fruits are 
yery often large, thick-skinned, and angular. They are generally cooked while 
still green, but if allowed to mature they become yellow and then black. 
Platano Congo.—Considered by Mr. Mead the finest of the Porto Rican 
bananas. Very slender and well flavored, eaten either raw or cooked; grows on 
a small tree and in large bunches. From the description this seems to be close to 
the African dwarf banana; but the fruit is said to become very yellow and the 
leaves to be entirely green, including the stems. These discrepancies seem to 
indicate at least a varietal difference, though botanical varieties of Musa caven- 
dishti seem not to have been distinguished. 
Platano largo.—See Pldtano. 
St. Michael.—Probably an error for gros Michel. 
Musa textilis. Mantua HEMP. ABACA. 
The Philippine Islands are the home of this important fiber plant and the ~ 
industry based on it. Various attempts have been made to introduce the culture 
of Manila hemp into other regions, thus far without success, probably because 
the process of extraction, though very simple, requires experience and skill. 
Muskwood. 
In the British West Indies this name is said to be used for Moschoxylum swartzii 
and Guarea swartzii. 
Myginda latifolia. 
A branching celastraceous shrub, 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.3 meters) high. Reported 
from Salinas de Cabo Rojo. 
Myginda pallens. Maravept. 
A low shrub. (Stahl, 4: 22.) 
