106 
The Natural Hiftory of the Book IV, 
As the Nut ripens, the Kernel becomes till more folid ; and lines at 
laft the whole Infide of the Nut for above a Quarter of an Inch thick as 
white as Snow, and of the Flavour of an Almond. 
Thefe Nuts, when at their full Growth, which they generally are in 
Six Months after their firft Appearance, contain from half a Pint to fome- 
times above a Pint of the above-mentioned Liquor. 
In about Three Months after the Kernel is in its full Perfection, the 
husky or outward Coat of the Nut, in a fhort time, begins to be 
fomewhat fhriveled ; and the Nut foon after falls from the Tree. ‘This 
happens in the Tenth Month from its firft Appearance. 
In this Stage the whole Fruit is of a blunt oblong Shape, near, and often 
above, a Foot in Length, and otherwife proportionable : The Outfide js 
likewife bluntly marked in a triangular manner: The husky Part, which 
covers the Nut, for near an Inch thick, is of a pale Brown on the Sur- 
face, and of a reddifh Colour within. This confifts of fo many {trong 
ftringy Filaments running lengthwife, that it is not without Difficulty 
feparated from the Nut ; but when taken off, and cleared of the inter- 
mixed pithy Subftance, it then refembles coarfeOakum ; and it is fo called 
by moft Authors, and may perhaps, in Cafes of Neceffity, be ufed as fuch. 
The Nut likewife, when cleared of its husky Tegument, appears 
flightly marked on the Outfide with Three Sutures, the whole Nut being 
of a blackifh Colour. 
If thefe are planted, the Kernel will, fome time after, firft bud, and 
ramify, and fill the whole Cavity of the Nut; and then fhoot out at the 
above-mentioned Hole in the Top, and foon appear above-ground in’ Two 
narrow Leaves. 
As the Kernels of moft Nuts are more or lefs pregnant with Oil, it 
will perhaps be here worth obferving, that tho’ Oils in general, when in 
the common Way extraéted, are not mifcible with Water; yet they may 
be brought to mingle with it in the Form of Cream. 
For Inftance ; Let any Quantity of Coco Nut-kernel be pounded in a 
Mortar, with a Quantity of Water fufficient to penetrate into the broken 
Interftices of the Kernel : This, being again mixed with a great Quantity 
of Water, and fuffered to fettle for a few Hours, will neceffary contract 
a white creamy Subftance upon the Surface, in which Form the Oil then 
appears. a 
Its Parts, by being thus pounded, and abforbed in the branny Subftance 
of the Kernel, and mixt with Water, are rendered too {mall to cohere, 
and to form vifible Drops. 
On the other hand, if the Oil, drawn from the Kernel by Expreflion, 
be fhaken ever fo much in Water, it will almoft inftantaneoufly collect its 
{eparated Parts, and form itfelf into its genuine tenacious oily Drops : 
Which Oil, when firft expreffed, is very mild, and of an infipid Tafte ; but 
in a few Days, unlefs kept very cool, which is fearce practicable in hot 
Climates, it will become rancid. : 
; The 
