24 
is tied up, to prevent its expansion; and a small incision be- 
ing then made at the end, there oozes in gentle drops a cool 
pleasant liquor, called Tarce, or Toddy; the palm-wine of the 
poets. This, when first drawn, is cooling and salutary; but when 
fermented and distilled, produces an intoxicating spirit. Thus a 
plantation of cocoa-nut trees yields the proprietor a considerable 
profit, and generally forms part of the government revenue. 
The cocoa-nut tree delights in a flat sandy soil, near the sea, 
and must be frequently watered; while the palmyras, or brab 
trees, grow on hills, and rocky mountains. These also abound on 
our small island, as well as the date-tree; but the fruit of the lat- 
ter seldom attains perfection. These trees are of the same genus, 
though differing according to their respective classes; they all pro- 
duce the palm-wine, and are generally included under the name 
of Palms, or Palmetos. 4 
Thomson gives a very beautiful description of these oriental 
groves; whose leaves, I omitted to mention, are used instead of 
paper, by the natives on the Malabar coast, and the inhabitants 
of the Carnatic. 
“ Stretch’d amid these orchards of the sun, 
“ Where high palmetos lift their graceful shade, 
“ Give me to drain the cocoa’s milky bowl, 
“ And from the palm to draw its freshening wine; 
“ More bounteous far than all the frantic juice 
t( Which Bacchus pours!’’ 
The Banian, or Burr tree (Ficus Indica, Lim) is equally de- 
serving our attention: from being one of the most curious and 
