48 
RivfEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
from an early period, merits high praise for the skilful elucidation of the subject 
he has taken in hand. Indeed, for the future every modern account of the Coco-nut 
might be greatly enriched from the facts set down in the work before us, a few of 
which, to gratify curiosity (for we are persuaded they Ure not much known), we 
shall record. 
The Coco-tree (Cocos nucifera) belongs to the Moncecia Hexandria of the 
Linngean system, and to the natural order FalnicB. The stem rises to the height 
of from 60 to 100 feet, crowned with 12 or 14 gracefully drooping fronds, from 
10 to 15 feet long, from 3 to 4 in width, and finely pinnated. The flowers are 
included in a large spathe; they are spicate axillary, with a few female flowers 
at the base of each Spike, those above being male. The fruit is clustered about 
the size of a man’s head, requiring nearly twelve months to become completely 
ripe. The kernel (Endosperm) is white, and hollow, containing about a pint of 
whey-coloured liquor, often improperly called “ milk” iii England, the real milk 
being quite different. The nut, originally trilocular, has one hole at the base, 
closed with a black membrane, and two external depressions, resembling holes, 
“ which gives it the appearance of the head of a Monkey.” The embryo is situated 
immediately under the membrane that covers the hole in the shell, through which 
the germinating shoot projects, while the water and kernel of the interior supply 
nourishment to the embryo and its rootlets. 
The Maldivian Islands appear to ha^e been the birth-place of the Coco-nut 
tree, from whence it has been distributed abundantly throughout the tropics. 
It thrives best in the vicinity of the sea, and may be watered with salt or fresh 
water. Some of the Malay isles, it is alleged, would be uninhabitable without 
this Palm, from their want of fresh water. The inhabitants give Coco-nut whey 
to their cattle, and never use any other beverage themselves. The fruit requires a 
mean temperature of 72° Fahr., to bring it to perfection. Plantations of Coco¬ 
nuts are called topes, and some very large ones exist in India. One is mentioned 
by Buchanan, 18 miles in length, and from one to a quarter of a mile in width. 
In Ceylon 10,000,000 Coco trees were estimated in 1813, to be growing on the 
S. W. coast only. The lands which are occupied with this plant alone, yield a 
settled income to the owners, without much labour. 
The Coco-nut tree blossoms and bears fruit at five or six years of age, continues 
to grow for 30 years, bears fruit until 60 years, and dies at 90 or 100. The 
following curious list of its products and economical uses we have collected from 
Mr. Marshall’s ‘‘ contribution” to its history. The roots are chewed as a sub¬ 
stitute for the areca-nut—a cloth-like net-work, called matulla^ is obtained 
from the base of the fronds—the unexpanded leaf-bud is much prized as an 
article of diet—the leaves are manufactured into baskets, mats, carpets, sails, 
tents, &c.—the dried fronds form torches—the petiole is made into oars, brushes, 
