FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 441 



that of the spathe, is used for stuffing cushions, &c. 

 The soft centre of the upper part of the stem, 

 consisting of the undeveloped petioles, is much 

 relished as a vegetable. Finger-rings, bracelets, 

 necklaces and other ornaments are cut from the 

 endocarp of the seed. — ' On the Palms of Western 

 Africa,' Mann and Wendland ; ' Transactions of the 

 Linnean Society,' vol. xxiv., p. 424 ; ' Spon's Ency- 

 clopaedia of the Industrial Arts, Manufactures and 

 Commercial Products,' pp. 1359 and 1407, &c. 

 Distribution : All along the Coast. 



Cocoa-nut {Cocos nucifera, L.). — This palm has a 

 cylindrical trunk, sometimes as much as two feet in 

 diameter, and attaining the height of sixty to one 

 hundred feet. Every part of the tree is put to some 

 useful purpose. The wood is commercially known as 

 Porcupine wood, and is used in India for rafters and 

 ridge poles, house-posts, and other building purposes, 

 also for spear-handles, walking-sticks, and fancy 

 work. The leaves are used for thatching, and the net 

 of fibres at the base of the petioles is made into bags 

 and paper, and is used in Ceylon for straining Toddy. 

 The cut flower-stalks yield Toddy, which is fermented 

 or made into sugar. The kernels of the nuts are 

 eaten, and the sweet fluid of the young nut is a 

 pleasant drink. The thick fibrous rind of the fruit 

 affords " Coir " fibre, which is used for ropes, mats, 

 &c.; and the shell of the nut is made into spoons, cups, 



