354 Notice of the Nicobar Islands. [No. 173. 



islands with these useful trees, I know not what would become of the 

 inhabitants ; and I am sure, that the greatest punishment which could 

 be inflicted on them, would be the cutting down of these trees, on 

 which they mostly rely for their subsistence. Having no rice, the 

 nut is its substitute ; and the cocoanut water is their general drink. 

 Being very lazy, they never climb up the trees to get the ripe fruit, 

 but let them fall of themselves, leaving them at the foot of the tree till 

 they are wanted. The only thing which can induce them to climb up, 

 is to get the young cocoanuts, in order to obtain the water to drink or 

 the toddy, which, when fermented, is an intoxicating liquor ; there is no 

 house without a supply of it, and the first thing that is offered to a 

 visitor, is a cocoanut filled with that stuff. Men and women indiscrimi- 

 nately climb the trees, except at Chowry, where none but persons of the 

 fair sex enjoy that privilege. 



The Nicobar yams have a particular taste and flavour, which they lose 

 in part when transplanted in other countries. Although very little 

 trouble and care is necessary for their growth, yet the Nicobarians, 

 through carelessness and indolence, allow themselves to be deprived of 

 that wholesome root, during six months in the year. 



The eka, or ika, or milor, as it is called by the Portuguese, is a fruit of 

 the size and shape of the jack ; weighing from ten to fifteen pounds. It 

 grows on a tree which is from twenty to thirty feet high, the trunk is 

 funili formis, foliis pinearis. The fruit being boiled, the edible part 

 is separated from the filaments with a shell, which, for greater con- 

 venience (the women alone perform that work) is held between the 

 toes. This being done, they make it into loaves, weighing from ten 

 to twelve pounds each ; it will keep for several months. When the 

 natives take their meals, they cut a slice of it, which being mixed with 

 the kernel of the cocoanut, affords them substantial food. This bread 

 resembles much in taste and colour the sweet potatoe. These trees 

 grow in all the Islands. 



The fruits the most common are plantains, papayas, and jacks. 

 I have seen some oranges and sweet lime, but of an inferior quality. 

 There is scarcely any marked difference in the soil of the various islands 

 of the group ; and therefore what grows in one of the islands would 

 equally be found growing in the other. To certain islands, however, 

 is allowed by natives the privilege of growing certain articles, which is 



