63 



Behind this, towards the corner, is Pandannus Odo- 

 ratissifnus, the Nicobar Bread-fruit. This, though 

 of so tempting an appearance, is but very indifterent 

 food, and is but seldom eaten but in cases of necessity. 



Behind the Pandannus, is Citrus Decumana, the 

 Shaddock, the fruit of which was cast from recently 

 imported specimens. 



At a few paces to the right, is Cocus Nucefera, the 

 Cocoa-nut Tree. This well known tree rises to the 

 height of sixty feet ; is crowned with a bunch of ten 

 or twelve leaves, each leaf being from ten to fifteen 

 feet in length, and composed of a double range of 

 flag-shaped leaflets : the cocoa is of slow growth ; 

 but, to compensate for this, it lives long, and regu- 

 larly bears fruit three or four times in the year. In 

 Ceylon, it is a common practice to make an incision 

 in the flower sheath, from whence issues a white 

 sweet liquor, of a pleasant flavour, which th** natives 

 call Toddj/. This dlsiila £r<jm the wound, and is re- 

 ceived in earthen pots or chatties, which are sua* 

 pended from the branches. 



It is a wholesome and cooling drink, while fresh, 

 but this is not long, as it contains a quantity of sugar, 

 and of course, in the warm climate of Ceylon, it soon 

 ferments; in the space of twenty-four hours it be- 

 comes acid, and after a time proves intoxicating. 

 The fruit of this tree is the Cocoa Nut, so generally 

 known in this country; when half ripe, it contains a 

 quantity of clear water, better known by the name of 

 milk; this has a pleasant smell and most agreeable 

 taste : in countries where the heat is intense, and the 

 ground frequently parched for want of moisture, the 

 milk of this nut proves, from its coolness, a deUghtful 

 and refreshing beverage. 



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