148 Coconut 



mats and ropes. The sweet sap, which flows freely from the young inflorescence 

 when wounded, is collected and evaporated into a crude sugar for local consump- 

 tion, especially in the East Indian islands. The wood is used locally in construc- 

 tion work and also made into canes and other trinkets. The hard bony shell of 

 the fruit is made into various utensils for local use. Writing-pens, brooms, and 

 other useful objects are made out of the stiff, fibrovascular tissue of the leaf-stalk. 

 The leaves are also used for thatching. A beautiful transparent resin exudes 

 from the trunk, or the husk of the fruit, when wounded. 



