APPENDIX 



499 



The following explanatory remarks refer to the above table : — 

 Cocos nucifera. — The data employed here are those given in the table 

 on p. 501 ; and the method of obtaining them is explained in 

 the footnote there appended. 

 Cocos plumosa. — On account of the hygroscopicity of the husk arising 

 from its large amount of sugars, the drying process is always 

 incomplete. If these substances could be removed by soaking 

 in water, the contrast with the drying process of Cocos nucifera 

 would not be so great. 

 Acrocomia lasiospatha. — Though very good materials were employed, 

 there is some disturbing influence to be looked for in explana- 

 tion of the rather small shrinkage of the seed and the rather large 

 shrinkage of the endocarp as compared with Cocos. This will 

 probably be found in the increase of the oil and the decrease of 

 water in the maturing seed and in the fact that the husk tends 

 to ripen rather before the stone and seed reach their greatest 

 development. The husk of the ripe fruit is full of a muci- 



