Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0459
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[Page 459]
355.
Some account of Savu
The Fruit which is least esteemd is also in the least plenty it is a nut about as big as a childs head coverd like a cocoa nut with a fibrous coat under which are 3 kernels which must be eat before they are ripe otherwise they become to hard to chew in their proper state they resemble a good deal in taste the kernel of an unripe Cocoa nut & like them probably afford but a washy nutriment.
[Margin note] Toddy
the excellence of the Palm wine or Toddy which is drawn from this tree makes however ample amends for the poorness of the fruit this is got by cutting the buds which are to produce flowers soon after their appearance & tying under them a small basket made of the leaves of the same tree into which the liquor drips & must be collected by people who climb the trees for that purpose every morning & evening this is the common drink of every one upon the Island & a very pleasant one it was so to us even at first only rather too sweet its antescorbutick virtues as the fresh unfermented juice of a tree cannot be doubted