The
Borassus, Though Not An Oil-Bearing Palm, Is A Useful Tree.
The
fibrous pulp round the large nuts is of a sweet fruity taste, and is
eaten by men and elephants.
The natives bury the nuts until the
kernels begin to sprout; when dug up and broken, the inside resembles
coarse potatoes, and is prized in times of scarcity as nutritious
food. During several months of the year, palm-wine, or sura, is
obtained in large quantities; when fresh, it is a pleasant drink,
somewhat like champagne, and not at all intoxicating; though, after
standing a few hours, it becomes highly so. Sticks, a foot long, are
driven into notches in the hard outside of the tree - the inside being
soft or hollow - to serve as a ladder; the top of the fruit-shoot is
cut off, and the sap, pouring out at the fresh wound, is caught in an
earthen pot, which is hung at the point. A thin slice is taken off
the end, to open the pores, and make the juice flow every time the
owner ascends to empty the pot. Temporary huts are erected in the
forest, and men and boys remain by their respective trees day and
night; the nuts, fish, and wine, being their sole food. The
Portuguese use the palm-wine as yeast, and it makes bread so light,
that it melts in the mouth like froth.
Beyond the marsh the country is higher, and has a much larger
population. We passed a long line of temporary huts, on a plain on
the right bank, with crowds of men and women hard at work making
salt.
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