and the Areca-mit Treej 7!? 



tiful. I suppose that emulsion of almonds would produce 

 the same effect as that of the coco-nut ; our black stufts 

 then would not be burnt, as is generally the case : this ob- 

 servation may be of use to dyers. 



If the milk, of the coco-nut be concentrated by ebullition 

 over a moderate fire, a sweet oil, agreeable and fit for the 

 table when fresh, is obtained from it. The physicians ot 

 the country compose with this ennilsion a gentle purgative, 

 which is not nauseous : it produces no cholic or violent 

 pain. It is administered in cases of plethora, gonorrhea, 

 and other diseases ; it is also an excellent vermifuge. 'It is 

 composed of half a pint of emulsion in which three or four 

 heads of garlic have been dissolved, by !)oiling over a slow- 

 tire, to the consistence of marmelade : it is given to the 

 patient fasting, while warm, with the addition of a little 

 sugar. 



The oil of this nut is extracted by pressure ; it is fit only 

 for being burnt in lamps ; it is of a dryins; quality, a little 

 acrid, white, and so light that it becomes fixed even in the 

 torrid zone] when burnt it gives a clear bright flame with- 

 out exhaling any odour or smoke. It is enipioved l>y rich 

 people and in the houses of the Europeans in preference to 

 any other kind. The substance from which this oil has 

 been squeezed is given to l>easts of burden mixed with their 

 forage ; this food when given to cows and goats increases 

 tlie (quantity of their milk. 



Such are the properties and different uses made of thij? 

 palm. If the wcjod could be employed for building or foF 

 domestic purposes, it might justly be said that the coco- 

 nut tree alone would be sulTicient for the use of man. It 

 is, however, a useful vegetable production, a valuable gift 

 of Providence to the peaceful inhabitants of that fine country 

 where it has been placed. 



It was the coco-suit tree which gave the Hindoos the 

 first idea of inventing the allegory and ingx^iious fable 

 of the phoenix, as may be seen in {he fifth chapter of the 

 Poronia, one of the conmventaries of the vaides, a sacred 

 book of these-people, which contains the principles of the;r 

 religion, the history of the country, iheip sciences, and m 

 general all their knowledge, as well as the practical know • 

 itdgc of all the arts which are cultivated in it. 



The coco-nut tree dues not renew the buds of its flowers 

 after an interval of two months, but in April, a period at 

 which the year of the Hindoos commences, it is produced 

 only from its fruit, which arc their cliildrea. This is ex- 

 actly 



