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ge Re se 
presents to the eye a picture so mild and pleasing, that: it 
is difficult not to look upon them as animated objects, ca- 
pable of enjoyment, and sensible of their condition.” 
A new leaf is formed upon the tree annually; and on 
falling away at the end of the year, it leaves a scar or ring : 
by these, it is estimated, that one hundred and thirty years 
are required palors the tree attains its full development. 
The foliage is largest and most beautiful in young plants ; 
the new leaf i is always formed in the centre, and it shoots 
out perpendicularly, folded close like a fan from the top, 
to the length of ten feet, or more. In this state, it is of a 
pale yellow colour, and is employed for making hats and 
bonnets; afterwards ‘it expands itself in all its beauty, and 
becomes green. ‘There is a space of about four inches be- 
tween the rings on the trunk. A’ Coco de Mer, planted on 
M. De Qurncy’s estate, on the Isle Mahé, is thirteen feet and 
a half high, has thirty-nine marks or rings, and was planted 
forty years ago ; it is a female plant ; but there being no 
male plant in the island, the fruit: never cori to maturity. 
The crown oe the trunk, ine the midst o f the leaves, is 
called. the cabb page, and is eat alike that of the true Cabbage 
(AREcA 01 slicate , and slightly 
ter  heingall it and d of its soft 
| : ‘ous serves to make water troughs, as 
 palisades for surrounding houses and wardens. 
lage ther of houses and 
nd even for . With a hundred leaves, a 
conceal dwelling be structed ; including even 
the partitions of. ments, the doors and windows. 
In the Isle Praslin, met of the cabins and warehouses are 
thus made. 
attached to the young leaves serves 
‘ illows. 
and fibres of the petiole constitute 
The young foliawe, as before men- 
ent material for hats: for this pur- 
es only are taken, dried in the 
| strips, two or three lines in 
th, which are then plaited ; and scarcely any other 
Seychetfen for the head is worn by the inhabitants of the 
Seychel 
Out of the nut are made vessels of different forms and 
uses. When preserved whole, and perforated in one or two 
Places, the shell serves to carry water; and two of them 
are 
