40 
FETCH : 
we found seven coconut trees affected, some killed outright, 
and others with only the edges of their branches leaves) 
singed. But ultimately every tree, however faintly affected, 
died. During the late monsoon storms twelve fine palms, a 
little to the south of the Kollupitiya station, were struck. 
Five of these were practically decapitated, and others were 
badly burnt. But some were only affected so that a slight 
brown colour showed on a few of the branches. Amongst 
the latter is a tree with a magnificent head of fruit, and this 
morning we expressed our fears, based on our experience, 
to a good native authority, that this valuable tree was as 
much doomed as those whose vitality had been at once 
destroyed. He fully confirmed our opinion : the tree must 
die.” It would have been of greater value if the fate of this 
tree had been recorded. With regard to the first of these 
occurrences, the statement that several trees were immediately 
“ killed outright ” makes the record somewhat doubtful. 
The general opinion, however, inclines to the belief that 
coconut palms which have been struck by lightning may 
recover if properly treated. The treatment adopted by the 
native is apparently based on the observation that a liquid 
exudes from the stem ; he merely cuts a hole in the stem ‘‘ to 
let out the excess of sap.” W. H. Wright, in “ All about 
Coconut Planting ” (3rd edition. Appendix, page iv), stated : 
When a tree has been partially struck by lightning, steps 
should at once be taken to bleed it and the surrounding trees 
by boring holes at their bases with an auger, by which means a 
large percentage ean be saved. Any tree, however, which 
has been irretrievably struck by lightning should at once be 
cut down and burnt.” 
The distinction between “ partially struck ” and “ irre- 
trievably struck ” would appear to afford a convenient 
explanation in case the treatment failed. It does, however, 
appear to be correct that when a group of coconut palms is 
struck, some are more lightly affected than others. The 
former are not regarded as actually struck, but as “ affected 
by the heat.” Their case may be analogous to that ot the 
tea bushes which die round a rock which has been struck by 
lightning on a tea estate. It would appear to be open to 
