QU, A 'HUr TO TIIK iSlATNl^AKO. 
II 
Another distinct species of cacao was met with, which though 
of doubtful value as an economic plant, was of sufficient Botani- 
cal interest, to induce us to spare no pains to introduce it into 
this Island, in which endeavour I am glad to say we w’ere prima- 
rily successful, as growing plants reached Kingston in safety, and 
are now contributed to the Castleton Botanical Garden, where 
with a congenial climate and under the care of the energetic Su- 
perintendent of that establishment, it is to be hoped they will fur- 
nish valuable material for future experiments. The plant has 
been scientifically determined, and proves to be Theobhoma 
nicoLOR Humb, AND BoNPL. Its local names are Tiger Cocoa,’’ 
Indian Chocolate’’ and Wariba.” The latter being the Indian 
name for the tree, which would appear to suggest some connec- 
tion with the W aid” or wild hog, of which large droves exist 
on the Mainland. The tree itself is of a stout spreading habit, 
its trunk and branches being much thicker than those of the 
ordinary kinds ; but is not so erect in its mode of growth. 
It is cultivated and used- -on a small scale onl}^ — by the In- 
dians and Spanish half-breeds but is not esteemed by the Creole” 
settlers on account of a peculiar flavour it is said to possess. 
It produces a much larger pod than the common cultivated kind, 
with a curiously netted and ribbed exterior shell, which consists 
principally of woody material, requiring a strong cutlass or saw 
to open. In the Cacao groves, we saw many trees of the ordinary 
kind reaching a height of over 40 feet, while the Tiger 
Cocoa” seldom reaches more than 15 or 20 feet. 
Several plants of a tree locally known as the Wild Cocoa” 
were met with in the forest, and botanical specimens duly 
secured which proves the plant to bo, not a Cacao, but 
a species belonging to the allied genus llerrama. The plant has 
but a small single stem, its leaves resembling at a short distance, 
those of the common Papaw (Oarica Papaya.) The pods are 
small, ten ribbed, with roundish seeds, covered with a’ thick 
sweetish pulp and is much sought after as a bush” delicacy by 
the juvenile members of the community, but at present it does 
not appear to possess any better recommendation, though as an 
ornamental plant it would be deserving a place in any tropical 
garden. 
