448 Mr. G. Clark on the Cocoa-nut of the Seychelles Islands. 



thousands have thus wantonly been dcstroj^ed ; so that a few 

 years ago liundrcds of male trees might be found without a 

 single female among them. Many fires have also occurred in 

 these woods, and a vast number have been destroyed in the con- 

 flagrations which have taken place. Five or six years ago a 

 fire broke out at Praslin, which continued for several weeks, 

 blazing up again and again after it was thought to be extin- 

 guished; and by this a very considerable number of these trees 

 perished. On I'ile Ronde not a plant remains. Curicusc, 

 occupied as an establishment for the treatment of lepers, has a 

 considerable number of fine young trees ; and as this is govern- 

 ment property, it is to be hoped that strict injunctions will be 

 given to preserve every remaining tree, and also to plant others. 

 If this be not done, it is not improbable that a few generations 

 hence this unique and interesting palm will no longer be found. 

 Its extremely slow growth has prevented most persons from 

 planting it. There are not perhai)s a score of trees in all the 

 islands, except in Praslin and Curicuse. The growth of many 

 young plants is stopped by cutting out the unopened leaves as 

 fast as they appear, for tin; m;iking of hats and other objects. 

 These are called cceurs-de-cocus, and are very ])retty objects. The 

 leaflets arc so compactly packed together that they seem to form 

 a solid mass, as smooth as ivory. Their edges are of a most 

 beautiful delicate green, and the lamina of a clear pale straw- 

 colour. They form a material of unequalled quality for the 

 making of hats and bonnets; and could they be supplied in 

 sufficient quantity, a large trade in them might be carried on. A 

 large bonnet-maker in England, who cleaned some for a lady 

 from Seychelles, was particularly struck with the excellency of 

 the material of which they were made, and said she could ensure 

 a ready sale for any quantity of it. The splitting of the leaflets 

 into strips of the desired breadth is a much more difficult afi'air 

 than straw- split ting, on account of the transverse fibres which 

 cross it. This operation is performed with considerable skill by 

 those accustomed to it. They employ a simple little machine 

 made of a piece of hard wood, with a sharp blade fixed in it. 

 This blade is set at the required distance from a raised edge, 

 which determines the width of the strip, and keeps it straight. 

 The strips, however fine, can only be cut singly. Very useful 

 and pretty little baskets, called tentes, are also made of these 

 leaves. They last for many years, and by washing and bleach- 

 ing may be always restored to their original colour. It is cut 

 out into various tasteful patterns, and made into fans, which are 

 much admired for their lightness and durability. Artificial 

 flowers are also made of it, which want nothing but colour to 

 be a good imitation of nature. Work-baskets {corbeilks) of great 



