448 Mr.G. Clark on the Cocoa-nut of the Seychelles Islands. 
thousands have thus wantonly been destroyed; so that a few 
years ago hundreds of male trees might be found without a 
single female among them. Many fires have also occurred in 
these woods, and a vast number have been destroyed in the con- 
flagrations which have taken place. Five or six years ago a 
fire broke out at Praslin, which continued for several weeks, 
blazing up again and again after it was thought to be extin- 
guished ; and by this a very considerable number of these trees 
perished. On Vile Ronde not a plant remains. Curieuse, 
occupied as an establishment for the treatment of lepers, has a 
considerable number of fine young trees; and as this is govern- 
ment property, it is to be hoped that strict injunctions will be 
given to preserve every remaining tree, and also to plant others. 
If this be not done, it is not improbable that a few generations 
hence this unique and interesting palm will no longer be found. 
Its extremely slow growth has prevented most persons from 
planting it. There are not perhaps a score of trees in all the 
islands, except in Praslin and Curieuse. The growth of many 
young plants is stopped by cutting out the unopened leaves as 
fast as they appear, for the making of hats and other objects. 
These are called ceeurs-de-cocos, and are very pretty objects. The 
leaflets are so compactly packed together that they seem to form 
a solid mass, as smooth as ivory. Their edges are of a most 
beautiful delicate green, and the lamina of a clear pale straw- 
colour. They form a material of unequalled quality for the 
making of hats and bonnets; and could they be supplied in 
sufficient quantity, a large trade in them might be carried on. A 
large bonnet-maker in England, who cleaned some for a lady 
from Seychelles, was particularly struck with the excellency of 
the material of which they were made, and said she could ensure 
a ready sale for any quantity of it. The splitting of the leaflets 
into strips of the desired breadth is a much more difficult affair 
than straw-splitting, on account of the transverse fibres which 
cross it. This operation is performed with considerable skill by 
those accustomed to it. They employ a simple little machine 
made of a piece of hard wood, with a sharp blade fixed in it. 
This blade is set at the required distance from a raised edge, 
which determines the width of the strip, and keeps it straight. 
The strips, however fine, can only be cut singly. Very useful 
and pretty little baskets, called ¢entes, are also made of these 
leaves. They last for many years, and by washing and bleach- 
ing may be always restored to their original colour. It is cut 
out into various tasteful patterns, and made into fans, which are 
much admired for their lightness and durability. Artificial 
flowers are also made of it, which want nothing but colour to 
be a good imitation of nature. Work-baskets (corbeilles) of great 
