, may be seen upon it at one time; and though a whole year is required
to bring any one of them to the germinating point, no two, perhaps, are at one
time in precisely the same stage of growth.
    The tree delights in a maritime situation. In its greatest perfection, it is
perhaps found right on the seashore, where its roots are actually washed. But
such instances are only met with upon islands where the swell of the sea is
prevented from breaking on the beach by an encircling reef. No saline flavour is
perceptible in the nut produced in such a place. Although it bears in any soil,
whether upland or bottom, it does not flourish vigorously inland; and I have
frequently observed, that when met with far up the valleys, its tall stem
inclines seaward, as if pining after a more genial region.
    It is a curious fact, that, if you deprive the cocoa- tree of the verdant
tuft at its head, it dies at once; and if allowed to stand thus, the trunk,
which, when alive, is encased in so hard a bark as to be almost impervious to a
bullet, moulders away, and, in an incredibly short period, becomes dust. This
is, perhaps, partly owing to the peculiar constitution of the trunk, a mere
cylinder of minute hollow reeds, closely packed, and very hard; but, when
exposed at top, peculiarly fitted to convey moisture and decay through the
entire stem.
    The finest orchard of cocoa-palms I know, and the only plantation of them I
ever saw at the islands, is one that stands right upon the southern shore of
Papeetee Bay. They were set out by the first Pomaree, almost half a century ago;
and the soil being especially adapted to their growth, the noble trees now form
a magnificent grove, nearly a mile in extent. No other plant, scarcely a bush,
is to be seen within its precincts. The Broom Road passes through its entire
length.
    At noonday, this grove is one of the most beautiful, serene, witching places
that ever was seen. High overhead are ranges of green rustling arches; through
which the sun's rays come down to you in sparkles. You seem to be wandering
through illimitable halls of pillars; everywhere you catch glimpses of stately
aisles, intersecting each other at all points. A strange silence, too, reigns
far and near; the air flushed with the mellow stillness of a sunset.
    But after the long morning calms, the sea-breeze comes in; and creeping over
the tops of these