326 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
derived from the cultivation of the tea-plant in our own 
dominions, ought at least to prompt a speedy and vigorous 
experiment on the subject. 
The most beautiful species of the palm kind which Cey- 
lon produces is the talipot-tree . This tree is very rare 
in other parts of India and seems a peculiar blessing 
bestowed by Providence on this island. It grows very tall 
and straight: the wood is hard, and veined with yellow, and 
is employed in carpenters’ work. The talipot bears a large 
yellow flower, which, when ripe, bursts with a loud noise, 
and diffuses a disagreeable and unwholesome smell. It is on 
this account that the natives will not place their huts near it. 
The fruit is of a round form, and about the size of a can- 
non-ball: it contains two nuts of the same shape. But it 
is from its leaves that the talipot derives its high estimation. 
These hang downwards from the top, and present a most 
elegant and grand appearance. The leaf is completely cir- 
cular, terminating in the most beautiful rays, it folds up 
into plaits like a fan, which in figure it nearly resembles. 
In size and thickness it completely surpasses always all 
other leaves. The breadth of the diameter is from three 
to four feet, and the length and thickness is in proportion : 
it is large enough to cover ten men from the inclemency of 
the weather. It is made into umbrellas of all sizes, and 
serves equally to protect the natives against the intolerable 
rays of the sun, and the rains which at particular seasons 
deluge their country. As it is of such an impenetrable tex- 
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