[116] The Cocos is a name said to be taken from the Portuguese coco, or coquin, the three holes at the end of the cocoa-nut shell, giving it some resemblance to a monkey’s head. [117] This palm is rarely, or never, seen growing straight; it has usually, when full, or nearly full, grown, an inclination in one direction or another. [118] “The cocoa-nut tree, on the sea-shore, is certainly larger and more productive than in the interior of Ceylon. In the former situation it frequently grows to the height of one hundred feet. Its flourishing most in this situation, and close to the dwellings of the natives, is probably connected with the circumstance, that its leaves, in a healthy state, contain a very large portion of saline matter. The Singalese are well aware of this: the washermen burn its leaves for the sake of its alkaline ashes; and it is a common practice, in planting a cocoa-nut, to put a little salt into the pit.”—_Davy’s Ceylon_, 4to. p. 355. [119] The natives of Tonga give the cocoa-nut, when in the act of germinating, the same appellation as the brain—“Uto.” [120] A ludicrous mistake, I recollect, once occurred respecting this word in one of the missionary letters sent to England; it was mentioned that they preached to the natives in _topes_ of cocoa-nut trees: this, when it appeared in one of the missionary journals, was printed thus:—“they preached to the natives _on tops_ of cocoa-nut trees!!” [121] The midribs of the leaves, tied together, form good brooms for the decks of ships. Formerly it was not unusual for the Tahitan females to produce abortion, by using a midrib of the cocoa-nut leaflets as an instrument for the purpose; but this crime is now, I am happy to say, very rare indeed, if practised at all, in the present state of that splendid island. [122] Baula, branches of cocoa-nut tree plaited, with which the houses are thatched; they will last two or three years. The matting for the floors, of similar plaited fronds, is called _Takapau_, or rather a coarse kind of matting made from the young leaves, only used for covering the floors of the houses; and the screens _Tatau_, at Tonga Islands. [123] Ellis, vol. i. p. 52. [124] The Singalese used the white young leaves in forming ornaments, in a tasteful and elegant manner peculiar to themselves, on the occasion of any festival, decorating arches, &c., in various picturesque forms of crowns, flowers, &c. &c. [125] Papalangi was applied to any thing foreign; we were Papalangis; our cloth was Gnatoo papalangi; our rum Kava papalangi, &c.