144 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



Pacific Oceans. It is generally cultivated tlirougliout all 

 tropical countries, and requires no special care. 



The tree varies in height from 50—100 feet, and has long 

 winged leaves, the so called "nuts" being produced in 

 bunches of 10 — 20 or more together. They are of a tri- 

 angular form, about a foot long, consisting of a thick coat of 

 fibre, enclosing a hard shell, which with its contents is 

 known as the " cocoa-nut." 



It is commonly said that the uses of the cocoa-nut are 

 as numerous as the days in a year, affording food, drink, 

 domestic utensils, and materials for building and thatching. 

 In some parts of India and other countries, the white albu- 

 men of the "nut" forms nearly the entire food of the natives, 

 and the white fluid or " milk," serves them for drink. It also 

 yields wine and sugar. Cocoa nut oil is obtained by pressing 

 the albumen. When fresh it is transparent, and is then 

 used in cookery. Large quantities of it are imported to this 

 country. The thicker portion, called " stearine," being 

 used for making candles, while the clear oil is used for 

 burning in lamps, &c. 



Formerly the fibre was used for making " coir" ropes only, 

 but within the last 30 years it has been manufactured into 

 floor matting, brushes, brooms, and is used for stuffing 

 cushions as well as many other purposes. The hard shell is 

 made into cups, and other domestic utensils. The wood is 

 known as " Porcupine wood." 



Date Palm {Phcenix dactylifera). A native of North 

 Africa and Western Asia, including Syria, and has become 

 naturalized in the south of Europe. It is a palm of the 

 desert, and is first mentioned in Exodus;* when the children 

 of Israel came to Elim and encamped, " there were three 

 score and ten palm trees." Palestine, in the vicinity of 

 Jericho, was also famed for its palm trees, as also the 

 valley of the Dead Sea, and although once abundant in both 

 localities they are now extinct. The date grows to the height 



* Chap. XV. ver. 27. 



