242 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVIL 



admit of a full description of the manifold uses of the 

 Palmyra, of which an exhaustive account is to be found in a 

 work entitled " The Palmyra Palm," by the late W. Ferguson, 

 first published in 1850. 



[Dry region and sandy tracts near coast ; very common.] 



270. — Cocos nucifera (Cocoanut Palm). 

 Pol, S. ®>£3o£? ; Tenna-maram, T. ^^e^&sn^u ld. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol IV., p. 337. 



The characteristic palm of the low-country of Ceylon, and 

 pretty well planted in every native garden up to 2,500 feet. 



Its uses and purposes are innumerable, and it is about the 

 only plant known of which every part is of use to man. 



The outer wood of the stem is very hard, close, and 

 durable. Weight, about 72 lb. per cubic foot. Affords 

 excellent timber for rafters and roofing, and is often made 

 into very handsome furniture. 



The importance of the Cocoanut Palm in Ceylon may best 

 be appreciated by reference to the following table of export 

 of its produce, published in the Administration Reports 

 of 1899 :— 



Articles. 



Value, 1898. 



Value, 1899. 





Rs. 



c. 



Rs. 



c. 



Arrack 



153,054 



12 



... 110,819 



75 



Cadjans 



8 











Cocoanuts (desiccated) . . . 



2,331,651 



62 



... 2,294,732 



8 



Coir Fibre ... 



604,572 



86 



330,301 



32 



Coir, manufactured 



7,144 



75 



7,871 



25 



Coir Rope ... 



167,192 



94 



142,623 



84 



Coir Yarn ... 



1,113,714 



3 



949,876 



81 



Coir Rugs ... 



2,116 







242 







Copperah ... 



5,023,741 



18 



... 3,195,807 



10 



Cocoanut Laths 



600 



40 



35 



50 



Cocoanut Oil 



6,109,216 



99 



... 6,062,419 



20 



Cocoanut Shells 



20,800 







15,285 







Poonac 



855,402 



50 



823,979 



50 



Total ... 



16,904,955 



10 



14,353,393 



44 



