ON TITE FRUCTIFICATION OF CHIONYPHE CARTERI. 139 
of the Palm is so very slow that no one can expect to reap where 
be has sowed, and the people consequently never take the trouble 
to plant any for the benefit of posterity. Not content too with 
digging up those nuts that have fallen and taken root, they ruth- 
lessly destroy whole trees by cutting them down for the sake of 
the nuts and the heart leaves, which latter are used for making 
hats, fans, and baskets. Many of the trees still standing are quite 
spoilt by the practice of cutting out these centre, or heart, leaves, 
leaving the tree shorn of its beauty, and with an untidy, ragged 
appearance. Besides the ravages of man, fire is a terrible enemy 
to these forests, a year seldom elapsing without their being suf- 
ferers by accidental conflagrations, especially those forests situated 
at the north-west end of Praslin, in which are now found only such 
male trees that from their height overtopped the flames that 
destroyed the females. Atthe south-east end of Praslin they are 
more plentiful the dry season being in the south-east monsoon, 
and as the forests are to windward, they are not exposed to much 
danger from spreading fire. 
No suggestions will induce proprietors to abandon their pre- 
sent habit of wilfully destroying the trees for the sake of the 
nuts and leaves, or to take some pains for the cultivation and re- 
production of this magnificent Palm. Not many years will elapse 
before the Coco de mer becomes in reality as rare as it was sup- 
posed to be when first picked up at sea by the wondering mariners, 
and the only relies left of its former magnificence will be the de- 
caying blackened stumps of the trees so wantonly destroyed, and 
the curious sockets in which they stood for so many years. 
Seychelles, April 16, 1863. 
Observations on a peculiar Mode of Fruetjiontion in Chionyphe 
Carteri, Berk. By the Rev. M. J. BEnxErzv, M.A., F.L.S. 
[Read March 3, 1864.] 
[PrarE X.] 
I nave given, in the ‘ Intellectual Observer’ for November 1862, 
an account of that formidable disease, the Fungus-foot of India, 
from information derived partly from Dr. H. Vandyke Carter 
and partly from his colleague Mr. H. J. Carter, together with a 
figure of the curious mould to which it is believed that it owes its 
origin. The latter gentleman, besides placing all his sketches at 
my disposal, gaye me specimens of the mould, in such a condition 
