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instance of a person's eating the ripe kernel, (/) and 

 it proved fatal in a few hours ; but no post-mortem 

 examination took place, so that the effect produced 

 by it was not ascertained. 



The nut in its perfect state is from eight to 

 eighteen inches lo ng, and nearly of the same breadth, 

 much resembling in shape the conventional form of a 

 heart. It is enclosed like the ordinary cocoa nut, in a 

 fibrous husk ; but this envelope is far from being so 

 thick or strong as that of the cocoa nut and rots and 

 drops off soon after the fall of the fruit. Its surface is 

 glossy and of a rich dark green. This husk is not 

 convertible to any useful purpose. 



If it be desired to plant these nuts, they should 

 be simply laid flat on the ground, and shaded from 

 the sun. If buried, I have been assured they will not 

 grow. 



In order to get rid of the contents of the shell, {Jc) 

 the nuts are laid in a wet place, and the decomposed 

 matter is extracted either when they are bored to servfe 

 ^s kegs, or sawed to serve as open vessels. Their 

 capacity varies from three pints to five gallons, but 

 both of these extreme dimensions are rare ; about two 



(i) This is not always the case, as I know persons who have 

 tasted the ripe kernel with impunity. 



(k) These shells were universally used by the old Creoles 

 and slaves in Mauritius as dishes. 



They are also, I may say universally employed here by the sugar 

 manufacturers in the factories for withdrawing the sugar from the 

 " Turbines. " They are generally sold for such purpn^-os at 4 sh. 

 the double shell. 



