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XI. Memoir on the Natural History of the Cuco-nai Tree 

 and the Areca-rint Tree ; the Ciiltivalhri (.f them accord- 

 iiig to the Methods of the Hindoos; their Production^j 

 and their Uliliiij in. the Arts and for the Purposes of do- 

 mestic Economy , By M. Lii Goux de Flaix, an Officer 

 of Engineers, and Mernler of the Asiatic Society at Cal- 

 cutta. 



[Coiuinutd fioTi our last volume, p. 3J2.] 



J. ME usual product of one coco-nut tree in India, a 

 country where provisions of every kind arc extremely low, 

 i« about six shillings per annum. This produce is no doubt 

 considerable. There is no tree in any part of the world 

 which in this respect is equal to it, if we reflect on the small 

 space which the coco-nut tree occupies : if it be considered 

 also that various kinds of leguminous and gramineous 

 plants, and even fruit-trees, can be cultivated under its 

 shelter ; that it scarcely requires any care or expense ; and 

 that all its parts are useful, as will be shown in this menmir. 



It is well known that the fibrous covering of the coco- 

 nut is converted into good ropes, which aie useful in na- 

 vigation, and for various purposes on shore. Cables for 

 anchors made of this substance are much better than those 

 made of hemp. They are exceedingly elastic, stretch with- 

 out straining the vessel, and scarcelv ever break; inappre- 

 ciable advantages, which are not possessed by those of hemp. 

 They are also lighter, and never rot, irv consequence of their 

 being soaked with sea water. They never, like those of" 

 hemp, exhale damp miasmata, cxceedinglv hurtful to the 

 crews of ships who sleep on the same deck where these 

 ropes are kept when ships are under sail. To all these 

 advantages nuist be added, that ropes made of the kaer* 

 float like wood, that they are inuch easier managed, and 

 run belter in the pulleys during nautical mancjeuvres. 



The utilitv of the second covering of the coco-nut is so 

 well known iu Europe that it is needless for me to speak 

 of it here. 



The palms of this tree, when entire, are employed to make 

 mats for sleeping upon. When split through the middle, 

 according to the length of the foot-stalk, they are wove 

 into mats for covering sheds and houses. The use of these 

 mats, even for the largest edifices, is general on the coast of 

 Malabar. Such roofs are more agreeable than those made 



« ' T!ic name j^ivcn by the Hindoos to the fibrout covering of the coco- 

 aut. 



of 



