CHAPTER XXII 



THE DATE— THE COCOANUT 



Phcenix Dactilifera Cocos — Nucifera — PhcenicacecB 



THE date, whether fruit or tree, instinctively brings 

 to mind the islands of the desert: the cocoanut 

 those of the tropical seas. Differing thus widely as to 

 natural habitat and as to type of fruit there are neverthe- 

 less necessarily striking points of resemblance and similar- 

 ity of general products presented by these two stately, 

 graceful members of the Palm Family, and by the increase 

 and scattering of the human family they have become more 

 closely associated as to places of girowth. The general 

 contour of the trees and bunching of the fruit in the bushy 

 tops are the same ; the fibre of the leaf-stems of both is used 

 in the manufacture of cordage, the leaves themselves 

 for inats, baskets, and innumerable other products; 

 the wood for local building purposes or imported for 

 making up into highly polished furniture or choice 

 woodwork. 



Both these palms yield quantities of sap, known as 

 "toddy," and it is a common, yearly practice to tap them. 

 The toddy, unfermented, is much liked as a drink 

 and when in this condition and boiled down the 

 syrup called "jaggery" is obtained, which in turn yields 

 another product: sugar; about one pound resulting from 

 four of the syrup, it is estimated. Fermented, the sap 

 becomes palm wine or is distilled into arrack. The heart 



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