106 ISLES OF SUMMER. 



were indigenous. Others, however, think that it is an exotic. 

 Upon general principles we should, in the absence of positive 

 testimony to the contrary, incline to the Governor's opinion. 



It flourishes best in the vicinity of salt water, and is found up- 

 on most of the inhabited islands all over the ocean world within 

 and near the tropics. It is, perhaps, God's most valuable gift to 

 the people inhabiting not only almost innumerable islands, but 

 large portions of the main land. Every part of it ministers very 

 materially to man's wants. The milk and meat of its fruit con- 

 stitute a considerable part of the food of the people who bask in 

 its shade or live where it grows. In the island of Ceylon (it is 

 credibly stated) the wealth of men is estimated by the number of 

 cocoanut trees which they own. 



This one fruit of itself furnishes full and ample evidence, to 

 an observing and thoughtful mind, of the existence and good- 

 ness of God. Having made it, and in so many ways fitted it to 

 supply the prime necessaries of human life in those parts of the 

 world where frosts are unknown, He has provided in a most won- 

 derful way for its preservation and propagation. Wrapjoed up 

 in a shell so hard aud impervious that it is carried a thousand 

 miles and more for the purpose of holding the cool water brought 

 to the earth's surface in " the old oaken bucket that hangs in the 

 well," we find the life-germ from which it is developed. Around 

 that shell are placed and compacted innumerable threads which 

 require, when dry, the aid of an axe to detach them from the 

 treasure they so persistently guard. Around these wrappings 

 there is another hard vegetable shield, wisely designed and curi- 

 ously made, and the whole is so wonderfully contrived and ad- 

 justed that it will float safely for months upon the ocean in calm 

 or storm, secure from molestation by reason of its outward des- 

 titution of comeliness, flavor and fragrance, from any of the 

 hungry and voracious monsters of the deep, until, at last, some 



