106 _ ISLES OF SUMMER. 
were indigenous. Others, however, think that it is an exotic. 
‘Upon general principles we should, in the absence ‘of positive 
testimony to the contrary, incline to the Governor’s op:nion. 
It flourishes best in the vicinity of salt water, and is found up- 
on most of the inhabited islands all over the ocean world within 
and near the tropics. It is, perhaps, God’s most valuable gift to 
the people inhabiting not only almost innumerable islands, but 
large portions of the mainland. Every part of it ministers very 
materially to man’s wants. The milk and meat of its fruit con- 
stitute a considerable part of the food of the people who bask in 
its shade or live where it grows. In the island of Ceylon (it is 
credibly stated) the wealth of men is estimated by the number of 
cocoanut trees which they own. 
This one fruit of itself furnishes full and ample evidence, to 
an observing and thoughtful mind, of the existence and good- 
ness of God. Having made it, and in so many ways fitted it to 
supply the prime necessaries of human life in those parts of the 
world where frosts are unknown, He has provided in a most won- 
derful way for its preservation and propagation. Wrapped up 
in a shell so hard and impervious that it is carried a thousand 
miles and more for the purpose of holding the cool water brought 
to the earth’s surface in ‘‘ the old oaken bucket that hangs in the 
well,” we find the life-germ from which it isdeveloped. Around 
that shell are placed and compacted innumerable threads which 
require, when dry, the aid of an axe to detach them from the 
treasure they so persistently guard. Around these wrappings 
there is another hard vegetable shield, wisely designed and curi- 
ously made, and the whole is so wonderfully contrived and ad- 
justed that it will float safely for months upon the ocean in calm 
or storm, secure from molestation by reason of its outward des- 
titution of comeliness, flavor and fragrance, from any of the 
hungry and voracious monsters of the deep, until, at last, some 
