138 WILD LIFE IN NORTH CANARA. 



A slender shaft from thirty to forty 

 feet high, and having a diameter at base 

 of no more than six inches, supports a 

 dark green crown of large heavy leaves 

 of more massive appearance than the 

 foliage of the cocoa-nut, the date, or the 

 sago-palm. 



During the fruiting season the nuts 

 hang in clusters below the leaves, and 

 enhance the beauty of the effect. As the 

 climber ascends to gather them, the tree 

 sways with his weight, and when he has 

 gathered the ripe nuts he can, by oscil- 

 lating the stem vigorously from side to 

 side, grasp the leaves of the adjoining 

 tree, and draw himself on to its crown ; 

 and thus without the toil of climbing 

 each tree in succession, he visits the 

 whole of the plantation. 



