254 VOYAGE IN SEARCH 



fpecies of fig-tree c , from whofe fummit hung a 

 great number of radicles, which implanted 

 themfelv~s in the ground, to give birth to as 

 mai j rtiiierent ftenr 



The cycas c'irc'tnalis is very common in the bot- 

 toms, under the fhade of the large trees. Hard 

 by we taw a fhed newly constructed of boughs, 

 where the favages had come to reft themtelves. 

 We ftill perceived there the remains of the meal 

 they had made with fruits of the cycas> the ker- 

 nels of which, eaten raw, are a very powerful 

 emetic, as feveral of our people experienced ; but 

 the favages had roatted them, and we remarked 

 the traces of fire on a great number of the hufks. 



The kernel which the fruit of the cycas circinalis 

 contains is very bitter : the inhabitants of the Mo- 

 luccas know much better how to prepare them 

 than thofe of New Ireland, as I had occafion to 

 obferve towards the end of this voyage. Expe- 

 rience has taught them that maceration deprives 

 it of its noxious qualities: this procefs may alfo 

 fuccccd with refpecr. to many other fruits, and a 

 great number of roots, which may thus fervc for 

 the fufti -nance of animals, and even of man. 



We law on the ground a great many fruits of 

 the cycas which the favages had not touched. 

 Their fucculcnt hulk, which diifufeda very agree- 

 able odour rcfembling apples, contains fermen- 

 tative parts fuflicicnt to yield, when infufed in 



water, 



