a. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXIII 



Cocos nucifcra. 



COCOANUT PALM. 



" NIU." 



The original home of this widely-diffused tree is not positively 

 known. Some writers say it is indigenous to the islands of the 

 Indian Ocean ; others show that in all probabilit}' it is of Ameri- 

 ican origin. (,)n account of its buoyant husk and impervious 

 shell, it was enabled to drift across the oceans without losing its 

 germinating power, and in this manner was widel}^ dispersed. It 

 is strictl}' a tropical plant, and grows naturally on the seashore, 

 or in its immediate vicinity. 



It has pinnate leaves about 12 to 18 feet long, and the inflor- 

 escense first appears in a cylindrical sheath, which splits length- 

 wise, exposing long sprays of male flowers, and near the base 

 generally one female flower, which is much larger, and eventually 

 develops into a fruit. The picture shows both forms of flowers, as 

 well as a young nut, and also a mature cocoanut. Propagation 

 is by means of the nut alone, which must be thoroughly ripe 

 before planting. The outer husk must be left on, germination 

 taking place at the largest eye ; sometimes two eyes may sprout, 

 and twin trees grow from these. Many varieties have been im- 

 ported from islands of the Pacific, Ceylon, AVest Indies, and Cen- 

 tral America. The cocoanut is not raised in Hawaii for com- 

 mercial purposes. 



