Nearly all useful qualities vary in a higher or lesser
degree in the different varieties. The fibrous strands of the rind of
the nut are developed in some forms to such a length and strength as to
yield the industrial product known as the coir-fibre. Only three of them
are mentioned by Miquel that have this quality, the _Cocos nucifera
rutila_, _cupuliformis_ and _stupposa_. Among them the _rutila_ [84]
yields the best and most supple fibres, while those of the _stupposa_
are stiff and almost unbending.
The varieties also differ greatly in size, color, shape and quality, and
the trees have also peculiar characteristics. One variety exhibits
leaves which are nearly entire, the divisions being only imperfectly
separated, as often occurs in the very first leaves of the seedlings of
other varieties. The flavor of the flesh, oil and milk likewise yield
many good varietal marks.
In short, the coconut-palm comes under the general rule, that botanical
species are built up of a number of sharply distinguishable types, which
prove their constancy and relative independence by their wide
distribution in culture. In systematic works all these forms are called
varieties, and a closer investigation of their real systematic value has
not yet been made. But the question as to the origin of the varieties
and of the coconut itself has engrossed the attention of many botanists,
among whom are De Candolle in the middle of the last century, and Cook
at its close.
Pages:
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101