171 
Soaps made from cocoa-oil combine with, or hold a nunusual 
amount of water, while retaining special hardness, and are char- 
acterized by great solubility in salt solution. The so-called 
“marine” or “salt-water soap” has the property of dissolving 
as well in salt water as in fresh water. The harder fats of the 
oil make excellent candles. Cocoanut oil and resin melted to- 
gether yield a mixture capable of being used with success in fill- 
ing up the seams of boats and ships, and in tropical countries for 
covering the corks of bottles as a protection against the depre- 
dations of the white ant. 
The fibrous husk (coir) is widely used for the construction of 
ropés, brushes, bags, matting, etc. The hard shell is easily pol- 
ished, and lends itself to the formation of various utensils and 
ornaments. It also has a high fuel value. The powdered shell 
and husk are occasionally used as adulterants of ground spices. 
The milk of the nut, as has already been pointed out, is strongly 
diuretic. The endosperm shares with milk the property of a 
taenicide, and has been used as a vermifuge in India for many 
years, where it is regarded as an excellent means of expelling 
the flat worm. The harder fats of the oil are used as constitu- 
ents for suppositories and related therapeutic products. Medici- 
nally the oil is employed repeatedly as a substitute for lard, 
olive oil and cod-liver oil. It is also made the chief substance 
by bulk in various salves and cold cream, pomade and similar 
cosmetic preparations. In ointments and cerates it is especially 
valuable because of its ready absorption when rubbed on the 
surface of the body, and on account of its ability to hold an 
unusual amount of water or saline fluid. It shows little tendency 
to produce chemical changes in substances with which it may be 
associated. WILiiam J. GIEs. 
A PALM OF THE SEYCHELLES ISLANDS. 
The Seychelles Islands, a small group belonging to Great 
Britain, are situated in the Indian Ocean, east of central Africa, 
and about five degrees south of the equator. Here is the home 
of a group of interesting plants, and especially noteworthy 
among these are a number of palms, the subject of this sketch, 
