COELOGLOSSUM 
3 T 9 
moncecious infl. The stem almost never stands straight upwards, 
but makes a gradual curve ; this would appear to be due to helio- 
tropism (p. 36). The fruit is large, and one-seeded. The outer 
layer of the pericarp is fibrous, the inner very hard (the shell of 
the coconuts sold in shops). At the base are three marks, corre- 
sponding to the three loculi of the ovary, two of which have become 
obliterated. Under one of these marks is the embryo. The thin 
testa is lined with white endosperm, enclosing a large cavity, partly 
filled with a milky fluid which may serve as a water supply in germi- 
nation. This palm furnishes many of the necessaries of life to the 
inhabitants of the tropics, and its products are largely exported from 
Ceylon, the Philippines, &c. The large leaves are woven into 
cadjans for thatching, into mats, baskets, &c. ; their stalks and 
midribs make fences, brooms, yokes, and many other articles of 
furniture. The bud or “cabbage” at the apex of the stem makes 
an excellent vegetable and is made into pickles and preserves. When 
the palm is flowering the infl. -axis is tapped for toddy, a drink like 
the Mexican pulque (cf. Agave), containing a lot of sugar. Evapora- 
tion of the toddy furnishes a coarse sugar known as jaggery; its 
fermentation gives an alcoholic drink, from which distillation 
produces the strong spirit known as arrack, while further fermen- 
tation gives vinegar. The fruits while young contain a pint or more 
of a sweetish water fluid, which furnishes a refreshing drink ; it decreases 
as the nut ripens. The kernels are eaten raw, or in curries, milk is 
expressed from them for flavouring, and oil is extracted by boiling or 
by pressure, in the latter case the kernels being first dried into what 
is known as copra. The refuse cake or poonac left after the ex- 
pression of the oil, is a valuable fattening food for cattle. The great 
use of the oil is for soapmaking. In recent years, again, a large 
industry has sprung up in desiccated coconut, the kernel, after having 
some of the oil expressed, being sliced and dried in special desiccators. 
It is largely used in confectionery. Lastly, the thick outer husk, 
rarely seen in Europe upon the nut, contains a large number of long 
stout fibres running lengthwise. The nut is placed in water till the 
soft tissues between these fibres decay, and the fibre (coir) is then 
beaten out; or sometimes the fibre is obtained by special machinery. 
Codiaeum Rumph. ex A. Juss. Euphorbiaceae (a. ii. 5). 4sp. Polynes., 
Austr. C. variegatum Blume is cultivated, especially in the tropics, 
for its prettily coloured leaves; they are generally known as Crotons, 
and are also used as hedges, &c. Some have very curious leaves, 
often twisted, or with two blades separated by a length of petiole. 
Codonopsis Wall. Campanulaceae (1. 1). 13 sp. As. 
Coelebogyne J. Sm. = Alchornea Sw. 
Coelachne R. Br. Gramineae (ix). 3 sp. Indo-mal., Chi., Austr. 
Coelia Lindl. Orchidaceae (13). 5 sp. trop. Am. 
Coeloglossum Hartm. = Habenaria Willd. [ C . ( H .) viride Hartm.] 
