COCOA-NUTS. 83 



A troe produces from twenty to thirty nuts. These nuts are, 

 as you see, about a foot long, almost black, and of a hard 

 woody texture. A new leaf is formed on the tree annually, 

 and, on falling away at the end of the year, it leaves a scar or 

 ring. From these it is estimated that a tree takes 130 years 

 to attain its full development. The crown of the trunk, in 

 the middle of the leaves, is eaten, as in that of the true Cab- 

 bage Palm (Jlreca oleracea,} but is less delicate, and slightly 

 bitter; it is often preserved in vinegar. The trunk is used 

 for palisades, &c.; the foliage, to thatch the roofs of houses, 

 and even for walls. With a hundred leaves, a commodious 

 dwelling may be constructed, including even the partitions, 

 doors, and windows. In the Isle of Praslin, most of the ca- 

 bins and warehouses ,are thus made. The down which is 

 attached to the young leaves, serves for filling mattresses and 

 pillows. The ribs of the leaves and fibres of the petiole (or 

 leaf-stalk) are converted into baskets and brooms. The 

 young foliage affords an excellent material for hats; for which 

 purpose the unexpanded leaves only, are taken, dried in the 

 sun, and cut into thin longitudinal stripes, which are then 

 plaited, and scarcely any other covering for the head is worn 

 by the inabitants of the Seychelles. Out of the nut are made 

 vessels of different forms and uses. When preserved whole, 

 and perforated in one or two places, the shell serves to carry 

 water, and two of them are suspended from opposite ends of 

 a stick. Some of these nuts hold six to eight pints. If di- 

 vided in two, between the lobes, each portion serves, accord- 

 ing to the size and shape, for dishes, plates, or drinking cups, 

 these being valuable from their great strength and durability, 

 this kind of utensil bears in the Seychelles Islands the name 

 of Vaisselle de Phk Praslin; and such is the estimation in 

 which these nuts are held by the negroes and poor people of 

 other islands, that the sailors always try to obtain them and 

 make them part of the cargo of their vessels. Amongst 

 other articles, shaving dishes black, beautifully polished, 

 carved, and set in silver are made from them.* 



* Hooker, in Botanical Magazine, vol. liv. 



