in botany: A genus of plants belonging to the class of polyadelphia, and order of pentandra; and in the natural system ranging under the 37th order, Columbiferae. The calyx is triphyllous; the petals, which are five in number, are vaulted and two-horned; the nectarium is pentaphyllous and regular; the stamens grow from the nectarium, each having five antherae. There are three species; the cacau, guianum, and angustia.

The cacau, or chocolate tree, we shall describe in the words of Dr Wright: "In all the French and Spanish islands London and settlements in the warmer parts of America, the choco Medical late tree is carefully cultivated. This was formerly the cafe Journal, also in Jamaica; but at present we have only a few straggling trees left as monuments of our indolence and bad policy."

"This tree delights in shady places and deep valleys. It is seldom above 20 feet high. The leaves are oblong, large, and pointed. The flowers spring from the trunk and large branches; they are small, and pale red. The pods are oval and pointed. The seeds or nuts are numerous, and curiously flowed in a white pithy substance.

"The cocoa-nuts being gently parched in an iron pot over the fire, the external covering separates easily. The kernel is levigated on a smooth stone; a little arnotto is added, and with a few drops of water is reduced to a mass, and formed into rolls of one pound each. This simple preparation is the most natural, and the best. It is in daily use in most families in Jamaica, and seems well adapted for rearing of children." See CHOCOLATE.