118 SIE H. BAEKLT ON THE COCO DE MER, 



be said that plants acquire and display this power only when it is 

 of some advantage to them ; but that this is of comparatively rare 

 occurrence, as they are affixed to the ground, and food is brought 

 to them by the wind and rain. AVe see how high in the scale of 

 organization a plant may rise, when we look at one of the more 

 perfect tendril-bearers. It first places its tendrils ready for action, 

 as a polypus places its tentacula. If the tendril be displaced, 

 it is acted on by the force of gravity and rights itself. It is acted 

 on by the light, and bends towards or from it, or disregards it, 

 whichever may be most advantageous. During several days the 

 tendril or internodes, or both, spontaneously revolve with a steady 

 motion. The tendril strikes some object, and quickly curls round 

 and firmly grasps it. In the course of some hours it contracts 

 into a spire, dragging up the stem, and forming an excellent, 

 spring. All movements now cease. By growth the tissues soon 

 become wonderfully strong and durable. The tendril has done its 

 Avork, and done it in an admirable manner. 



Letters from Sir II. BauktS: and Swinbub^'e AVaSd, Esq., 



relative to the Coco de Mer. 



[Read Nov. 3, 1864.] 



June 



Sir, — Having brought the resolution adopted by the Linnean 

 Society, on 3rd of March, relative to the destruction of the Sea 

 Cocoa-nut Tree in the Seychelles Islands, under the notice of the 

 Civil Commissioner of that group, and called upon him to suggest 

 officially what measures could be taken to ensure the preserva- 

 tion of the remaining trees, I have received the report of which I 

 now beg to enclose a copy. 



The Society will be glad to learn that Mr. Ward did not find, 

 on a visit of inspection, that that destruction had been carried so 

 far as had been represented to him, but that, on the contrary, one 

 forest of these Palms in He Praslin is carefully preserved by ita. 

 owner, and still contains magnificent specimens. 



As this island is almost entirely private property, the inter- 

 ference of the Government would be difficult, except in the way of 

 exhortation and remonstrance; but as lie Curieuse, where »- 

 certain number of trees are found, is still vested in the Crown, 

 and used for a purpose which renders it inaccessible to the public,. 





