180 
FIRST BOOK. 
ground, as if to help the roots to hold up the 
tall, stout stem. 
10. The wood of the cotton tree is soft and 
light, but if steeped in strong lime-water, it will 
last for several years. Sometimes it is sawn into 
laths for the roofs of houses. 
11. The downy covering of the seeds is different 
from the true cotton that grows on the cotton 
plant. It may be used for stuffing beds; but, on 
the whole, the cotton tree is more handsome than 
useful. 
THE CABBAGE PALM. 
12. Amongst the beautiful trees which are the 
pride of the West Indies we must reckon the 
noble Cabbage Palm, whose tall form rises high 
above most of the other trees. Its heart leaves 
are very good for eating as a vegetable, but tak- 
ing out the bud of growing leaves of course kills 
the tree, because, as in other palms, the growing 
bud at the top is the only one that it has. 
THE GUANGO. 
13. Another famous and useful tree is the 
Guango, well known for its long seed-pods, w^hich 
are eagerly eaten by horses and cattle, and prove 
a very fattening food for them. 
