352 NEW AMERICAN ORCHAKDIST. 



top of the lower pot, of which it forms a lid ; it is pierced 

 at the bottom with very fine holes, and thus forms a fine 

 strainer; in the bottom of this pot, and on this strainer, the 

 fresh and finely-ground coffee is placed, and the top of this 

 pot is closed by the insertion of a shallow tin cup, full 

 of larger holes, which serves for a coarser strainer ; and 

 through this, either boiling water, or, most commonly, a 

 strong infusion of boiling coffee, is poured, which has been 

 formed by boiling the grounds of the former day, which 

 had still retained a large portion of their original strength ; 

 thence the whole fluid slowly and gradually descends to 

 the lower pot. Thus a very strong, clear, and black in- 

 fusion is prepared, which, on being brought to the table, 

 is reduced by the addition of at least an equal quantity or 

 more of boiling milk ; sugar being added to suit the taste. 

 Nothing can be more fragrant and delicious than coffee 

 thus made. 



COCOA-NUT. (Cocas nticiferd.) 



A native of the East and West Indies, and an eminently 

 useful tree to the inhabitants of those countries. It rises 

 with a straight trunk to the height of sixty feet. The 

 leaves issue near its summit ; they are from twelve to four- 

 teen feet in length, with numerous alternate, sharp-pointed 

 leaflets. The flowers grow near the summit, in clusters ; 

 the fruit, in large clusters of from ten to twelve, is enveloped 

 in strong husks; it is a drupe, very large, ovate, with three 

 sharp, longitudinal ribs ; the shell is a hard, brown, bony 

 substance, almost incorruptible ; to its inner surface, the 

 kernel adheres, which is white, firm, and sweet. While 

 the fruit is young, its capacious centre is filled with a milky 

 liquor, very sweet, agreeable, and wholesome ; as the fruit 

 grows older, the milk becomes sharp and cooling, and is 

 of great service in putrid and inflammatory fevers, and 

 highly antiscorbutic. The sap drawn from the trunk 

 produces, by fermentation, wine and vinegar, and by dis- 

 tillation, arrack. The husks form very strong and elastic 

 cordage and cables. From the leaves are formed baskets, 

 brooms, and parasols, mats, hammocks, sail-cloth, &c. 

 The tree is raised from the nuts, planted in a moist soil 

 There is a small but very excellent variety, not larger than 

 a walnut, a native of Chili. 



