310 COCOA-NUT TREE. 



jfif'th is a species of Maldivia, or dwarf cocoa-nut^ 

 about the size of a turkey's egg, which being 

 rare, is more esteemed as a curiosity than for 

 any peculiar good quality it possesses. 



The elevation* this tree attains is from sixty 

 to one hundred feet^ and a diameter of one or 

 two feet ; its cylindrical stem, crowned on the 

 summit with numerous waving, plumy branches^ 

 has a spendid effect, and forms an elegant object 

 of intertropical scenery : it is seen on the arid^ 

 sandy shores, with its roots laved by the surges, 

 as well as in the rich valleys, overshadowing the 

 huts of the natives ; but when this valuable tree 

 is found growing inland, they are inferior in size 

 to those on the sea-shore and about the dwellings 

 of natives. The Singalese have a saying, that 

 cocoa-nut trees do not thrive unless " you walk 

 amongst them, and talk amongst them."'f" 



* This palm is rarely, or never, seen growing straight ; it 

 has usually, when full, or nearly full, grown, an inclination in 

 one direction or another. 



f The cocoa-nut tree, on the sea-shore, is certainly larger 

 and more productive than in the interior of Ceylon. In the 

 former situation it frequently grows to the height of one hun- 

 dred feet. Its flourishing most in this situation, and close to 

 the dwellings of the natives, is probably connected with the 

 circumstance, that its leaves, in a healthy state, contain a 

 very large portion of saline matter. The Singalese are well 

 awai*e of this : the washermen burn its leaves for the sake of 



