CEYLON AND SINGAPORE. II 



CEYLON. 



Only a few remarks will be made upon this island, and these in reference to the neighborhood 

 of Point de Galle. 



Here we first met with the nutmeg-tree. There is a large one, and some others nearly equal- 

 ing it, within a mile of the town. My little self-constituted guide was particularly anxious to 

 attract attention to it, it appearing to him to be an object of especial interest to strangers. Its 

 sight well repaid the walk. It was in full bearing, the fruit ripening from day to day ; and in 

 this condition there are few, if any, trees that can excel, or even rival, the nutmeg in its beauti- 

 ful appearance. These trees were very flourishing, and are said to be the first ever planted in 

 Ceylon. They have been a source of very considerable profit to the owner, from scions alone, 

 independently of their fruit. 



The cocoanut groves of this island are, perhaps, unequaled in the world. The coast is 

 lined with a broad belt, and the trees are tall and luxuriant. There are no enclosures, nor are 

 the people very honest ; but the fruit is preserved from depredation by a simple contrivance. 

 One of its great palm-like leaves is laid up against the stem of the tree, some six feet from the 

 ground, and there secured by tying its leaflets around the body. This is no charm, contrived 

 by superstition ; but to tear it down, when dried, in order to ascend the tree freely, or to climb 

 over it, would produce such a noise or alarm, as to awake the most sluggish inmates of an ad- 

 jacent hut. These guards could only be circumvented by scaling-ladders. 



Some of our officers visited a cinnamon garden at a considerable distance from the town. 

 It was in a neglected state ; nor was the air rendered odorous by its perfumes. They will be 

 disappointed who expect spicy breezes in the lands of the east. 



SINGAPORE. 



Nothing particularly noticeable here, except that most beautiful of orchards, or plantations — 

 an orchard of nutmegs. A full account of the culture and management of these trees is given 

 in one of the numbers of Silliman's Journal. One peculiarity may be mentioned, and that is, 

 that each tree, when planted, has to be protected from the heat of the sun for the first two or 

 three years. This is clone by coarse matting, supported upon rude and simple frame-work. 



The mangusteen, considered by many as the most delicious of all fruits, is found here in per- 

 fection. 



There are some extensive, though expensive, establishments for manufacturing sago, and 

 large quantities of it are prepared. The raw material is derived from the sago-palm, and is 

 brought in the way of commerce from the neighboring islands. Our attention was kindly 

 drawn to these establishments by a friendly resident, whose courtesy is duly appreciated. 



