A. E. Verrill — The ^Bermuda Islands. 



597 



little later, the people were not content with tapping- the ti*ees for 

 the sap, but cut down the largest ones to extract the entire pulp and 

 juice from the interior to make this drink, which was at first used 

 only as a fermented beverage. It was, however, decidedly intoxica- 

 ting and led to much drunkenness and disorder. 



c A/ 





Figure 40. — Palmetto: a, berries, part of a cluster ; b, section ; c, male flowers ; 

 (/, parts of a male flower; e, a stamen. After Hemsley. 



In 1627, a law was passed prohibiting the cutting of the pal- 

 mettoes for this manufacture, except by due warrant. But like most 

 modern laws against intemperance, this law was not altogether 

 efficient, for later the natives even learned how to distill it and 

 make an " aqua-vitae," which was a bad kind of strong rum or 

 " vino." Complaints were made at that time -that the tallest and 

 best palmettoes were being rapidly and recklessly destroyed for this 

 use. Another more stringent law was passed in 1652 against cutting 

 the trees for this purpose, and others in 1662, 1666, and 1668. This 

 liquor is said to have made men wildly, madly, and dangerously 

 drunk. 



In October, 1662, the Bermuda Company ordered the palmettoes 

 to be preserved on the small islands so as to afford leaves for thatch- 

 ing the houses, as follows : " Ffor preventing the great mischiefe 

 that is like to ensue to the plautacon for want of thatch by reason 

 of felling of Palmetto Treese in the little Islands, Avee have ordered 



