142 MONOCOTYLEDONS 



the nut where it is fastened to the stalk. The fibrous covering 

 is least developed at this spot, and can be easily broken through 

 by the seedling. 



When the seed is allowed to germinate, the cotyledon enlarges 

 and gradually lills the whole cavity of the seed, forming a spongy 

 globular white body, which, in course of time, eats away the 

 kernel. The plant nourished thereby forms a bulbous body out- 

 side the shell, from which roots and leaves grow. 



The fatty oil contained in the kernel is the chief food of the 

 young plant. Mixed with water, the oil soon becomes rancid. It 

 is partly to prevent the oil becoming thus spoiled that the nut 

 requires a strong covering. This furnishes, of course, also a very 

 good protection against enemies that are covetous of the sweet 

 fruit, and protects the seed from harm when it falls from the tree 

 to the ground. If the nut falls by chance into the sea, the porous 

 outer part of the covering enables it to float, and the nut can 

 then be carried by the waves and sea-currents to a distant island 

 where it may strike root. In this way the lonely, deserted coral 

 reefs of the South Sea may have come into the possession of this 

 magnificent Palm tree. 



7. The Cocoanut Palm is not only one of the most beautiful, 

 but also one of the most useful trees that adorn the coasts of tro- 

 pical countries. The stem is useful for timber; the leaves are 

 used for thatching houses, their ribs for making brooms; the 

 soft bud of the young plants furnishes a palatable vegetable: 

 by tapping the stalk of the inflorescence a juice is obtained, 

 from which by fermentation palm-wine (toddy) is made, and 

 which, if unfermented, yields a good sugar when boiled down; 

 tlio middle part of the covering of the fruit yields a very use- 

 ful hbre, out of which ropes are made, which possess a high 

 power of resistance to the action of water; out of the hard shell 

 they make drinking vessels, spoons, etc.; the kernel has a deli- 

 cious taste and forms part of the daily food of the people; 

 an oil of good quality is obtained from the kernel; the refuse 

 forms a food for cattle; the milk of the fruit is a delicious 

 beverage: there is hardly any part of this tree which is not of 

 some use to man. 



