THE SEYCHELLES - ISLANDS OF THE GIANT PALMS 



51 



After the return of the expedition four giant coconuts were successfully germinated. The first to 

 germinate was photographed in the Botanical Gardens of Copenhagen in May 1953. The nut 

 and first leaf, partly unfolded, can be seen. 



the price, of course, fell heavily. A few unscrupulous Frenchmen tried to 

 bolster the market by setting fire to parts of the Praslin valleys, but for- 

 tunately this vandalism was soon stopped. 



Today, the two localities on Praslin where the palm grows are owned 

 and controlled by the Government. It is of little commercial value, though 

 the local population use the trunks for house-building, its blackish timber 

 being harder and more weather-proof than other palm timber. The im- 

 mense leaves make excellent material for thatching native huts, and fine 

 broad-brimmed hats are woven from the leaf fibres. The nut is in little 

 use as food; but while gelatinous the flesh can be refreshing, if rather 

 sweet and insipid. The bulk of the nuts are sent to the main island of 

 the group, where they are made into original souvenirs. There is also 

 a certain market for them among Moslem pilgrims to Mecca. The only 

 water bottles which may be carried are those made by Allah Himself, 

 and the double coconut being in this respect His greatest achie\'ement, it 

 has a high value among thirsty pilgrims. 



Let me conclude by trying to convey a picture of the natural habitat 



