326 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



sistence of sugar-cane, and containing an equal if not larger 

 proportion of saccharine matter. The interior of the capsule 

 is fibrous. The custom of the natives is to chew the soft end, 

 and having thus extracted all the nutriment, to throw on one 

 side the hard portion, which they let lie in the sun till 

 thoroughly dry, when they crack it between two stones and 

 extract the kiko or kernel, which is similar to a filbert and very 

 wholesome. The ripe fruit when boiled down produces a large 

 percentage of excellent molasses ; also, when steamed in the 

 Sawaiori oven and mashed up in warm water, it yields an 

 intoxicating liquor when fermented, and a strong spirit by 

 distillation. But the chief use to which it is devoted is the 

 preparation of what is called on the equator kabobo, which serves 

 the savage of the more barren isles in the place of bread. The 

 soft parts of the fruit are grated, and the pulp so obtained is 

 dried in the sun. Its appearance is then that of coarse pine 

 sawdust, of a dark-brown colour and sweetish taste. It is 

 packed in baskets, solidly trodden into a hard mass with the 

 feet, and will keep for any length of time. When required for 

 use, it is moistened, kneaded, and baked on the stones. It is 

 a strong food, easily digested and wholesome, but not very 

 palatable to an European. 



The pandanus tree grows usually upon coral, gravel, and clean 

 sand, where there is no particle of mould, or soil, so that it seems 

 beyond measure surprising that its roots could there find either 

 moisture or nourishment. Nevertheless it contains a super- 

 abundance of oily sap which exudes freely wherever it is cut 

 with an axe. Growing as it does on the sea-shore, it would be 

 liable to be blown down easily by a strong wind, were it not 

 for a most marvellous protection given it by a beneficent God. 

 From the ground upwards, round and round the stem in a 

 spiral row following the twist of the tree (to the height of 



