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G. P. W. Collection.

Theobroma Cacao.

PLATE XCHI

CHOCOLATE, COCON.

In Hawaii this tropical tree grows to a height of from 10 to 30 feet. It has large, pointed leaves, and the new growth is wine-colored. The flowers appear on the trunk and mature branches, and the fruit which follows is about 8 to12 inches long, and is called the pod; inside of this pod are beans or seeds, from which the commercial product called cocoa is made, through a process of drying and curing. Chocolate is the term used for the sweetened preparations of the roasted and ground beans, with a large proportion of the original fat retained. Cocoa preparations are the same material in fine powder, sweetened and unsweetened, with a greater part of the fat extracted.

Cacao cultivation has never been successfully attempted in Hawaii. However, a few isolated trees can be found at Ahuimanu Kanch, Oahu, where they were planted by the Catholic brothers as an experiment some years ago.

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G. P. W. Collection.

PLATE XCIV

Hibiscus Sabdariffa.

ROSELLE.

This bush or shrub is a showy annual growing to a height of from 5 to 7 feet. The stems are reddish, and the pale yellow flowers solitary. The leaves are palmate and of a light-green color. It is widely cultivated in the tropics, in Florida, and in Southern California; and also thrives in Hawaii. The dark crimson calyces are very fleshy and make excellent jelly, which has somewhat the flavor of the cranberry.

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G. P. W. Collection.

PLATE XCV

Monstera deliciosa.

The Monstera deliciosa, one of the grandest of arid plants, is a native of the mountainous regions of Guatamala and Brazil. It climbs to a height of 12 or more feet, and its leaf stalks are often 3 feet long. It obtains nourishment from the tree upon which it attaches itself. Its leaves are huge and perforated. As the plant climbs, the stems emit aerial roots, many of which never reach the ground. The fruit which has the appearance of an elongated pine-cone, grows to a length of from 6 to 12 inches, and is about 21⁄2 inches in diameter.)

The rind is composed of plates which may be detached when the fruit is quite ripe. It is green in color until it ripens, when there appears a slight tinge of yellow. The creamy-white pulp has a most declicious flavor, somewhat resembling the banana, and also like the pineapple. It requires 18 months to mature the fruit. Propagation is by cuttings.

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