BOOK III. CHAP. Vlir. 73^ 



tremely well, though rendered more vigorous by mixing fait with the 

 earth into which it is removed. 



The fubftance which iiiclofcs the fliell is made up of tough fibres, of 

 which the Indians make not only cordage, and other tackle for fI•lip^, 

 but a kind of oakum for caulking, which is highly extolled. Steeped 

 in water, and beaten like flax, it is manufadurcd into an excellent 

 linen. After this coat is taken off, the fhell makes its appearance, 

 which takes a fine polifli, and is often formed into drinking cups fet 

 in filver. The fhell is filled with a very agreeable, fub-acid, cooling- 

 fluid, while young ; but as the fruit advances, this concretes into a ge- 

 latinous coat adhering to the infide of the fhell, hardening with age, 

 till It acquires a firm texture, when it refembles an almond in flavour, 

 and makes part in various preparations of the kitchen; it contains a 

 large portion of oil, is wholefome and nourifliing. 



The liquor is generally efleemed highly antifcorbutic, one of the 

 plcafanteft drinks in America, and makes a falutary emulfion in fevers; 

 It is alio added in the diflillation of rum, and thought to improve the 

 flavour of that fpirit. 



The leaves of this tree are ufed for thatch, and the tender fhoots at 

 the top afford an agreeable green, or cabbage. The trunk is formed 

 into gutters, and occafionally employed for inclofing, and roofing out- 

 houfes, and, being nailed dole, is lb hardy as to refift the weather for 

 many years. The juice, obtained from the trunk by tapping, mixed 

 and fermented with melafles, affords an excellent fpirit. In order to 

 make arrack from it, the tree mull: be kept from bearing fruit : for this 

 purpofe, the fprout which produces the nut, and which flioots every 

 month, is cut, and jars faftcneJ to it to receive the liquor; or the body 

 is bored, and a plug put into the orifice, which is occafionally taken out 

 when the liquor is wanted : this liquor Is fuffered to ferment, and whilft 

 It Is in this ftate, it is diftilled into the fpirit called arrack, which far 

 excels what is drawn from rice. If this liquor is expofed to the fun, it 

 foon turns to vinegar; it mufl therefore be carried, immediately afcer it 

 is collected, into a fhady place. 



Near the bafe of the larger branches or foot-fi:alk^■, is a web-like 

 plexus.) compoled of fibres curloufly interwoven by the hand of nature, 

 which is the cloathing this tree is laid to aflbrd ; and is often ufed in 

 this ifland for ftrainers. 



5 B 2 Confidering 



