COCOA-NUT TREE. 315 



to protect them from the unpleasant solar re- 

 flection from their sandy roads and beaches ; 

 the yellow leaves (rau-pard) are preferred for 

 the purpose, their colour being much admired. 

 The leaves were used in many of the religious 

 ceremonies of the Tahitans, and was also an 

 emblem of authority ; it was sent by the chief 

 to his dependents when any requisition was 

 made : through the cocoa-nut leaf, tied to the 

 sacrifice, the god was supposed to enter ; and 

 by the same road the evil spirits, who, it was 

 imagined, tormented those affected with dis- 

 eases, were driven out. Bunches or strings of 

 the leaflets were also suspended in the temple 

 on certain occasions, and answered the same 

 purpose as beads in Roman Catholic worship, 

 reminding the priest, or the worshipper, of the 

 order of his prayers.* 



The heart, or very young foliaceous fronds of 

 this tree, is called the cabbage, which is an ex- 

 cellent vegetable, either cooked or dressed, in 

 stews, hashes, or ragouts. t The Singalese use 



* Ellis, vol. i. p. 52. 



-|- The Singalese used the white young leaves in forming 

 ornaments, in a tasteful and elegant manner peculiar to 

 themselves, on the occasion of any festival, decorating 

 arches, &c., in various picturesque forms of crowns, flowers, 

 S<c. &c. 



