48 REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



from an early period, merits high praise for the skilful elucidation of the subject 

 he has taken in hand. Indeed, for the future every modern account of the Coco-nut 

 might be greatly enriched from the facts set down in the work before us, a few of 

 which, to gratify curiosity (for we are persuaded they are not much known), we 

 shall record. 



The Coco-tree (Cocos nucifera) belongs to the Moncecia Hexandria of the 

 Linnsean system, and to the natural order Palnice. The stem rises to the height 

 of from 60 to 100 feet, crowned with 12 or 14 gracefully drooping fronds, from 

 10 to 15 feet long, from 3 to 4 in width, and finely pinnated. The flowers are 

 included in a large spathe ; they are spicate axillary, with a few female flowers 

 at the base of each spike, those above being male. The fruit is clustered about 

 the size of a man's head, requiring nearly twelve months to become completely 

 ripe. The kernel (Endosperm) is white, and hollow, containing about a pint of 

 whey-coloured liquor, often improperly called " milk" in England, the real milk 

 being quite different. The nut, originally trilocular, has one hole at the base, 

 closed with a black membrane, and two external depressions, resembling holes, 

 " which gives it the appearance of the head of a Monkey." The embryo is situated 

 immediately under the membrane that covers the hole in the shell, through which 

 the germinating shoot projects, while the water and kernel of the interior supply 

 nourishment to the embryo and its rootlets. 



The Maldivian Islands appear to have been the birth-place of the Coco-nut 

 tree, from whence it has been distributed abundantly throughout the tropics. 

 It thrives best in the vicinity of the sea, and may be watered with salt or fresh 

 water. Some of the Malay isles, it is alleged, would be uninhabitable without 

 this Palm, from their want of fresh water. The inhabitants give Coco-nut whey 

 to their cattle, and never use any other beverage themselves. The fruit requires a 

 mean temperature of 72° Fahr., to bring it to perfection. Plantations of Coco- 

 nuts are called topes, and some very large ones exist in India. One is mentioned 

 by Buchanan, 18 miles in length, and from one to a quarter of a mile in width. 

 In Ceylon 10,000,000 Coco trees were estimated in 1813, to be growing on the 

 S. W. coast only. The lands which are occupied with this plant alone, yield a 

 settled income to the owners, without much labour. 



The Coco-nut tree blossoms and bears fruit at five or six years of age, continues 

 to grow for 30 years, bears fruit until 60 years, and dies at 90 or 100. The 

 following curious list of its products and economical uses we have collected from 

 Mr. Marshall's " contribution" to its history. The roots are chewed as a sub- 

 stitute for the areca-nut — a cloth-like net-work, called matulla, is obtained 

 from the base of the fronds — the unexpanded leaf-bud is much prized as an 

 article of diet — the leaves are manufactured into baskets, mats, carpets, sails, 

 tents, &c. — the dried fronds form torches — the petiole is made into oars, brushes, 



