HISTORY OF THE SEA CoCOA-NUT. 931 



the Aerythniean Sea or of the goUl mines of the Atlantis, because, 



according to the highniindod poet the yellow metal is more dangerous 



than the iron. 



Jamquo nocens ferrum, ferroqne nocentius aurum 



Prodierat ; prodit helium, quod pugnat utroque. 



(Ovidius Metamorphosios primo.) 

 But the glory of the European Argonauts can never be too loudly 

 suns : thev have discovered a new continent which was hidden for 

 centuries, they have unveiled the secrets of the sea and shown the way 

 ro so many islands scattered in the Indian Ocean. By their efforts it 

 came about that almost 



Omnis ferat omnia tellus, 



and that foreign medicaments of high and rare value were introduced 

 into our country. Amongst them the Sea Cocoa-nut (Nux Medica 

 Maldivensis) occupies the first and foremost rank, whether we consider 

 its rareness or its prize and value, or finally its usefulness that was ever 

 praised." 



As to the origin of the nut Piso gives two opinions The common 

 people say that it grows on trees that are hidden in the sea. or which 

 were covered with water at the time of an inundation, or that had 

 rheir roots in the water as their natural medium. The more devout 

 hold a different view. They believe that ti e nut grows on an island 

 called Pallays, which is invisible to those who want to find it. and 

 visible to others that do not know about it. From that island the nuts 

 are carried away by the ocean-currents and waslicd upon the shores of 

 r.lie Maldives. The inhabitants of the Maldive Islands believe tnat 

 Pallays is the happiest of all the countries of the world, and that the 

 • levils and malicious genii want to hide it before the eyes of man. 



Pibo relates that Rudolf II, Emperor of Germany, offered 4,000 

 liorins for a Sea Cocoa-nut, but the family Wolfered in whose posses- 

 sion the nut was, was not inclined to part with it. In the Maldivian 

 Islands the value of one nut was estimated at from 60-120 crowns ; 

 but those which measured as much in breadth as in length were the 

 most esteemed ; and those which attained a foot in diameter, were sold 

 for 150 crowns; some kings have even been so greedy of obtaining 

 these fruits as to have given a loaded ship for a single one. 



We can easily understand the great desire of many of becoming the 

 hapjjy owner of such a nut, if we read the long catalogue of cases 



