68 



POPULAE ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



it furnishes them with a sweet wholesome food^ a refreshing 

 drink^ a material for cordage, and various domestic uten- 

 sils, besides a valuable oil, which is used for many economic 

 purposes. The nuts are enclosed in an outer husk, which 

 has three flat sides, terminating at the top in a blunt point, 

 consequently a transverse section of the entire nut would be 

 triangular ; this outer husk is composed of a large mass of 

 very strong fibres, which form a compact shell externally, 

 but are very loose inside. This product will be further 

 mentioned in the chapter on vegetable fibres. "Within is 

 the nut, enclosed in a very hard oval shell, about a quarter 

 of an inch in thickness ; this is used in many w' ays by the 

 natives of warm countries in making various domestic uten- 

 sils. The peculiar triangular form of the cocoa-nut has been 

 pointed out as a special provision for its dissemination; 

 thus, growing as it does frequently near the shores of the 

 sea and rivers, its large seeds drop in the water, and their 

 shape particularly adapts them for sailing : one edge being 

 downwards forms the keel, while the upper surface being 

 flat is acted upon by the wind, and propelled by it along the 

 surface, until it reaches some coral-reef, atoll, or other shore, 

 where, being stranded, it vegetates and rises to be a magni- 

 ficent palm, affording shelter and food in abundance. The 



