THE 
EDINBURGH NEW 
PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL. 
Notes upon the Coco-Nut Tree and its Uses.* By Huei 
CLEcHORN, M.D. (Plates I. to ITT.) 
It seems needless to bring under notice the many useful 
purposes to which Palms are applied, the high position which 
the tribe holds in the vegetable kingdom, and the peculiar 
Oriental character they give to the landscape. The majestic 
character of the palm, its gigantic foliage, and its economical 
importance, are facts familiar to all; and of the coco-nut 
and palmyra trees especially, it may with truth be said, that 
there is scarcely a single part of them which is not applied to 
some particular purpose. In India, we are readily convinced 
of this; for we can scarcely look abroad without observing 
some use or other made by the ingenious native, of the foliage, 
the fruit, or the stem of these wonderful plants. We see the 
leaves rendered serviceable for thatch, screens, baskets, and mat- 
work, and as a material to write upon; we see the fibrous coat- 
ing of the fruit twisted into the pliant and durable coir rope, 
and used for stuffing mattresses; we are indebted to the 
kernel for a rich clear oil, in most extensive use over India, 
and one of her chief exports; while the trunks of the trees 
are employed for rafters, for boats, and for building purposes. 
Of all the palm tribe, by far the most important is the 
genus Cocos. This contains twelve species, of which the 
coco-nut tree, or Cocos nucifera of Linneus is the most 
valuable. Many varieties of the Cocos nucifera have been 
observed. Mr Berthold Seemann, in his “ Popular History of 
* Read to the Botanical Society, May 9th, 1861. 
NEW SERIES,—VOL. XIV. NO. 11.—ocT. 1861. Z 
