93 



what measures could be taken to ensure the preservation of the re- 

 maining 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 for- 

 rest of these palms in He Praslin is carefully preserved by its 

 owner, and still contains magnificent specimens. 



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

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

 exhortation and remonstrance ; but as He Curieuse, where a certain 

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

 for a purpose which renders it inaccessible to the public, I trust 

 there can be no danger under any circumstances of the extinction 

 of this most interesting species. 



I am confident that whilst Mr. Ward remains in his present post 

 he will do all in his power to protect the existing trees, and to 

 secure the planting of others. 



I remain, Sir, 



Your obedient Servant, 



Henry Barkley. 

 To George Bentham, Esq., 



President L.S., &c., &c. 



Preservation of the Coco dc mer. 



Civil Commissioner's Office, 



Seychelles, May 17, 1864. 

 Sir, 



I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No. 

 H. 890) of May 6th enclosing a communication from the Linnean 

 Society on the subject of the destruction of Coco de mer trees at 

 Praslin, and directing me to report, for the information of His 

 Excellency the Governor, upon the measures which ought to be 

 taken for the preservation of such of the Lodoicea trees as now 

 remain. 



The paper on the Coco de Mer, to which the Linnean Society 

 alludes, was written a short time after my arrival ; but although I 

 had made a tour of inspection round the islands, including Praslin 

 and Curieuse, I had not then visited the district in which this palm 

 principally flourishes. 



There is no doubt that the Coco de Mer has entirely disappeared 

 from many parts of the island of Praslin, where it formally 

 abounded — destroyed by accidental conflagrations, and ruthlessly 

 cut down to make room for manioc cultivation. The land in these 

 parts of Praslin, with a very small exception, is entirely in the 

 hands of private individuals, and no steps could have been taken 

 by Government with respect to preserving the trees. 



