COCOA-NUT; DATE-PALM. 545 



ernes, forming, therefore, a calyx and corolla ; the outer 

 whorl is often the smaller. The stamens are commonly six in 

 number, sometimes, however, only three, and occasionally inde- 

 finite. The ovary is superior, generally 'divided into three cells, of 

 which each contains a seed ; the styles and stigmas of the three 

 carpels are more or less adherent. In the ripe fruit, however, 

 it is commonly found that the seed of only one cell has been 

 developed ; and that the other cells are therefore obliterated. In 

 the common Cocoa-nut we have an example of this ; the fruit, 

 when covered with the husk, is evidently three-lobed ; and when 

 the husk is detached from the shell, the latter exhibits three 

 spots upon its rounded end, of which two are hard, whilst the 

 other is soft and easily perforated. The fibrous husk is the 

 outer wall of the ovarium ; the shell is the inner wall, with 

 which the seed is in close contact. If the Cocoa-nut be cut 

 through lengthways, by a section passing through the middle of 

 the soft spot, it will be found that the small embryo is situated 

 just beneath it, lying in the midst of the firm fleshy albumen ; 

 and we understand, therefore, that the two hard spots indicate 

 the positions of the two embryos which have not been developed. 

 In the Date-Palms, the staminiferous and pistilliferous flowers 

 grow on separate trees ; and the fertilisation of the latter is 

 dependent upon the conveyance of the pollen from the former, 

 which is usually accomplished by the agency of the wind, of 

 insects, &c. But if unseasonable weather, or any accident, 

 should prevent this, the Date crops entirely fail, or the fruit is 

 degenerate and unfit for food. In order to prevent such an 

 occurrence, the Arabs, many tribes of whom rely almost entirely 

 on this tree for their supplies of food, have long been accustomed 

 to gather the stamineous clusters, and to hang them over the 

 pistilline flowers ; and they even lay up stores of pollen from 

 year to year. When they make inroads into the districts inha- 

 bited by hostile tribes, they cut down the stamen-bearing palms, 

 as one of the most severe injuries they can inflict. It is on 

 record that the threat of doing so, on the part of those attacked, 

 once warded off an invasion. The Grand Signior having medi- 

 tated an invasion of the city and territory of Bassora, the prince 



