The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-09-07

ly fitted for the element on the surface of
which he moves, being furnished with
keel, anchor, sails aud ballast, for the
purpose of navigation. Possessing the
powep Of locomotion, he can shift his
position so as to catch the gale, and
glide over the highest waves with ease
and safety. Sometimes, when the sea is
calm and the sun warm, he will turn
himself upon his side, wet his sails, aud
then right his little bark and resume his
passage. These animals frequently
navigate the ocean in fleets, perhaps
under the command of an admiral.
Their sails, which are transparent, and
beautifully bordered with bright pink
colour, vie in richness and elegance,
particularly when seen ia the direction
of the sun. with the silken sails of Cleo
patra. We have seen thousands of
them bounding over the pillows, remind
ing US of Pope's couplet;
+" Learn Of the little Nautilus to sail,
Spread The thin oar, and catch the rising
gales
One afternoon thunder storm over
took them, which continued far into the
night. About 10 O'Clock of that night,
Mr.. Carter went upon deck 10 see a
curious phenomenon, called by the sal
Tors g corpo sdnto," or sacred body.
g A ball of fire was visible at the top
of the main-mast, emitting light not
unlike that of lamp. Indeed, so strik-
ing was the resemblance, that at first
suspected some one had been playing
off quiz, by sending up lamp, or that
one Of the crew was aloft with light.
But the reality of the phenomenon was
soon ascertained. As it never appears
except in storms, some have supposed
it to be electrical; but the mate of the
ship assured me, that he had often ex-
amined the substance emitting the light,
and found il to be mass of jelly, appar-
emily composed of quarl or animalcules,
exactly similar TO those producing the
pbosphoresenee of the ocean. This
testimony, as well as my limited obser-
walton, seems to corroborate the theory
Of Mr. Baldwin, preached in the States
man, in the year 1922"
Cocoa NuT TREE.-Of all the gifts
which Providence has bestowed on the
oriental world, the cocoa out tree most
deserves our notice in this single pro-
duction of nature, what blessings are con-
veyedt to man! Itgrows stately column,
from thirty to fifty feet in height, crown
eddy averdant capital of waving branch
es, covered with long spiral leaves-un-
der this foliage, lunches of blossoms,
clusters of green fruit, and others arrir-
ed at maturity, appear in mingled beau
~. The trunk, though porous, furnish
es beams and rafters for our habitations,
and the leaves, when plated together,
make an excellent thatch, and common
umbrellas, coarse mats for the floor, and
brooms; while their finest figures are
woven into very beautiful mats for the
rich. The covering of the young fruit
is extremely curious, resembling piece
OF thick cloth, in conical form, close
and firm as it came from the loom; it
expands after the fruit has burst through
its enclosure, and then appears of coars-
er texture. The nuts contain delic-
ions milk, and kernel sweet as the al
mond: this, when dried, affords album
dance of oil; and when that is expressed,
the remains feed cattle and poultry, and
make good manure. The she'll of the
nut furnishes cups, ladies, and other do
nestle utensils, while the husk which
encloses ii, is of the utmost importance !:
it is manufactured into ropes and COR
dage of every kind. from the smallest
twine TO the largest cable, which are
far more durable than those of hemp.
10 the Nicobar Islands, the natives build
their vessels, make the sails and cor
dage, supply them with provisions and
necessaries, and provide a cargo of ar
rack, vinegar, oil, gagpree or coarse SUI
gar cocoa nuts, coir, cordage, black
paint, and several inferior articles for
foreign markets, entirely from this tree.
Many'of the trees are not permitted
to bear fruit; but the embryo bud, from
which the blossoms and nuts would
spring, is tied up to prevent its expau-
sion and small incision being then
made at the end, there oozes in gentle
drops a cool pleasant liquor called
Trace or Toody, the palm wine of the
poets. This, when first drawn, is cool
ing and salutary; but when fermented
and distilled, produces an intoxicating
spirit. Thus, a plantation Of cocoa nut
trees yields the proprietor considera-
BILE profit, and generally forms part of
--ahe Government revenue.
BoLIyAR.--It has been already stated
in the Colombian papers. that two at
tempts had been made to assassinate the