1 69 1.] THE LATAMER. 63 



Vessel there to receive the delicious Liquor, which runs out 

 fast enough, otherwise we dig (creusions) the Cabbage, and 

 make a little Cistern at its Head. We need only go twice or 

 thrice a Day, and draw this rare Wine at tlie Fountain Head, 

 and we may be abundantly supply'd with it. The Wine of 

 the Trunk, and that of the Cabbage, are in my Opinion 

 of an equal goodness. 



But those who wou'd be good Husbands of their Trees 

 (for as for us we were lavish enough of them), the first way 

 is the best, because after the Cabbage has yielded its Liquor 

 for about a Month, it Withers, and the Tree decays and dies. 

 'Tis the same thing if you tear oft^ tlie Cabbage, when its 

 Head and Brain are gone it dies almost suddenly. 



Whereas if you only pierce its Side, the Tree do's not die, 

 provided the Wound is not too deep ; but the Liquor will 

 not run out at that Hole above four Days : The wounded 

 Tree must afterwards have time to recover. I do not know 

 what is done elsewhere, but I can tell by Experience what I 

 have said here, we having made trial of it daily for two 

 }ears together. The Bark of this Tree is very hard, 'tis an 

 Inch thick. Porous and Tender in the Inside. If one make 

 tlie Hole on the side of the Trunk too wide, there is reason 

 to fear 'twill weaken the Tree there, and that then the next 

 .Hurricane will break it. 



The Plantane^ {Latanicr) is a sort of Palm-tree, and the 

 Arborists place it in the same Class. (3ur Plantanes have a 



1 The word " Latanier" in the original has been throughout the 

 narrative mistranslated " plantane". It is evidently the fan-palm 

 {Latania Verscliaffeltii) that Leguat is describing here. Prof. Balfour 

 says it is found in every part of the island, where it is put to a variety 

 of uses. The wood is very hard and durable, of a rich mottled black 

 appearance, and used for building huts, though now this is interdicted, 

 as the trees are becoming more scarce. The leaves are chieily used 

 for thatching huts, and are also made into baskets. The fibres of 

 the petiole form a very excellent material for cordage, and the reti- 

 culum is also put to various uses. (Cf. FJdl. Tram., vol. clxviii. p. .374.) 



