CHAPTER XIV 



THE COCONUT 



A Member of the Palm Family. The coconut belongs 

 to the palm family of plants, which includes also the 

 palma brava, betel nut, nipa, buri, and cabo negro. Its 

 botanical name is Cacos nucifera. There are about 

 thirty-five other species in the genus Cocos, and all 

 are natives of America. It is, therefore, almost certain 

 that the coconut came from America ; but it was found 

 in very ancient times on the tropical coasts of the Old 

 World. The nuts often fall into the sea and float, and 

 if they are thrown ashore before too long a time, they 



FIG. 87. Some things made from coconut shells 



can grow. In this way the plant can spread to new 

 shores. 



Uses of the Coconut. The coconut is useful in more 

 ways than any other tree in the world. The natives 

 of Polynesia are said to use it in more than a hundred 

 different ways. The most important commercial product 



