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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

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