THE COCONUT AND ITS USES. 13 



used to make fences and handles for tools, and when 

 cut into short lengths and frayed at the ends they serve 

 as brushes. The midribs of the leaflets furnish a strong 

 fibre that is used for making baskets, strainers, and 

 native fishing tackle. The sheaths produced at the leaf- 

 bases consist of triangular pieces of fibrous material 

 having a woven appearance ; these are cut into various 

 shapes to form mats. 



The flower spathes, when dried, are used as torches, 

 and are also twisted into coarse ropes after being soaked 

 in water. 



The water contained in the unripe nut is a cool, re- 

 freshing drink that is much appreciated in tropical 

 countries, and constitutes the only available drinking 

 water on some of the smaller oceanic islands, while the 

 soft, creamy kernel of the unripe nut, when flavoured 

 by spices and lime-juice, is eaten as a delicacy. 



The ripe nuts enter into the composition of numerous 

 native sweetmeats and curries. Coconut milk is prepared 

 by grating the fresh kernel and mixing it with a little 

 water and then pressing through a cotton cloth. The 

 liquid which passes through the cloth is an emulsion 

 consisting of oil suspended in water with a little mucilage 

 and sugar. It resembles milk in appearance and con- 

 sistency, and is extensively used in India in the prepara- 

 tion of curries and as a substitute for cow's milk. 



The oil obtained from the kernel of the nut by boiling 

 with water, or by expression, is used as an article of food, 

 and also employed for culinary purposes. The husk is 

 utilised as fuel, and sections are used as brushes ; the 

 fibre of which it is largely composed is made into brushes, 

 yarn, cordage, and matting. The coconut shells are used 



