PRODUCTS OF INHAMBANE 125 



thick upon the land to justify the belief that 

 they could be profitably exploited, and if so 

 Inhambane has ready to hand another extensive 

 source of wealth. From all parts of the tree 

 useful economic products are obtained. The 

 timber is used for packing-cases and for boat- 

 building; the bark yields an indehble ink; the 

 fruit a spirit ; the shell of the nut an essential 

 oil ; the kernel a confectionary. 



The unshelled nuts are valued locally at 

 .£8 per ton, or X'12 per ton f.o.b. ; but the 

 cooked kernels are worth in Bombay X'24 per 

 ton. Large quantities are sent to that market 

 from Goa. The kernel is enclosed in two shells, 

 between which there is a dark-brown acrid gummy 

 substance with an unpleasant smell when volati- 

 lized by roasting. The shells are very hard, but 

 crack easily after being heated. The native 

 method of decorticating is first to roast the nut. 

 This cooks the kernel, volatilizes the gummy 

 secretion, and softens the shells, which are then 

 cracked with a piece of wood. With the unshelled 

 nuts the trade is a poor one, but if a mechanical 

 decorticator could be devised it should prove 

 remunerative. 



The distillation of spirit from the fruit of the 

 tree is another means by which the cashew could 

 be exploited, and now that mechanical locomotion 



