172 
THE ANDAMAN ISLANBS, 
paragi-apb in Colonel Symes^ narrative : Unhappily for 
tbenij tlie cocoa-mit, which thrives in the utmost luxu- 
riance in the neighbouring isles, is not to be found here ; 
but they are extremely fond of it, and whenever a nut 
was left in their way by the settlers, it was immediately 
carried off with much apparent satisfaction."* Their 
fondness for the nut has probably deprived them of the 
benefit of the tree ; but it will be necessary to go again 
to Austmlia for an illustration. Although, probably, 
hundreds of nuts, capable of vegetating, are thrown upon 
the northern coasts of that continent by every north-west 
monsoon, no living ti*ee has been seen, except in the 
European settlements ; and even those have hitherto been 
destroyed soon after the establishments were removed; 
for the heart or cabbage ia only less an object of desire 
with the natives than the nut itself. Everj' nut thrown 
on the coast is seized with avidity, and generally eaten 
upon the spot. Even should it be lodged in some 
nook, where it might remain unperceived a sufficient time 
to take root, the first appearance of its feathery leaves, 
which could not escape the eye of any native who might 
be passing along the beach in search of fish, would be the 
signal {or its destruction, in the hope that a portion of the 
much-loved kernel might still remain within t 
» Symcs, "Embassy to Ava," vol x, p» 311. 
f Since the above was m type, I have liad some conversation on 
the subject with Colonel MacArthur, of the Royal Marines, who 
resided pennaneutly at Port Essmgton, in the capacity of Com- 
mandantj dnrmg the existence of the settlement (from 1838 to 
lSi9) ; and he inforroa me that latterly facts came to his know- 
led^, which have induced the opinion that some of the tribes of 
