HOW I KILLED THE TIGER. 85 



Within the fibrous husk is the shell, which is 

 very brittle, though its structure is somewhat 

 fibrous. Cut in various shapes, it is formed into 

 cups, drinking vessels; into pitchers, funnels, and 

 admits of being turned in an agreeable manner. 

 Those shells which are tolerably circular are used 

 for the bodies of cups and vases, the feet and 

 covers being made of wood and ivory. Common 

 buttons are also made of the cocoa-nut shell, and 

 are considered better than those made of horn, 

 as they do not absorb the moisture like that 

 material moisture causing the horn buttons to 

 swell and burst. The shell forms a valuable 

 charcoal. The hollow shells, called " gari " c r 

 "naryel," are used for the water holder of a par- 

 ticular kind of " hookah." Cocoa-nuts, both in the 

 raw and dried state, form a prominent feature 

 amongst the exports to various parts of India 

 and other countries. 



In the Laccadine Islands, the heart leaves 

 of the tree, just before they unfold, are 

 cut off and plaited into mats of fine quality, 

 which are there used as sails for the smaller 

 boats, and are much esteemed when exported. 

 In India, the leaves dried, and called by 

 Europeans " cadjars," are plaited and used as 

 thatch, and for the outer and inner walls of 

 houses ; the leaves are also made into mats, 



H 



