Nor was this all.  Heaton, under the influence of his habits, had studied the natures of the different trees he had met with on the other islands.  The cocoa-nut, in particular, abounded in both groups, and finding it was a tree that much affected low land and salt water, he had taken care to set out various samples of his roots and fruits, on certain detached islets near this channel, where the soil and situation induced him to believe they would flourish.  Sea sand he was of opinion was the most favourable for the growth of this tree, and he had chosen the sites of his plantations with a view to those advantages.  On the Peak cocoa-nuts were to be found, but they were neither very fine, nor in very large quantities.  So long as Mark had that island to himself, the present, supply-would more than equal the demand, but with the increase of the colony a greater number of the trees would become very desirable.  Five or six years would be needed to produce the fruit-bearing tree, and the governor was pleased to find that the growth of one of those years had been already secured, in the case of those he had himself planted, in and on the crater, near three years had contributed to their growth, and neither the Guano nor Loam Island having been forgotten, many of them were now thirty feet high.  As he approached the crater, on that occasion, he looked at those promising fruits of his early and provident care for the future with great satisfaction, for seldom was the labour of man better rewarded.  Mark well knew the value of this tree, which was of use in a variety of ways, in addition to the delicious and healthful fruit it bears; delicious and healthful when eaten shortly after it is separated from the tree.  The wood of the kernel could be polished, and converted into bowls, that were ornamental as well as useful.  The husks made a capital cordage, and a very respectable sail-cloth, being a good substitute for hemp, though hemp, itself, was a plant that might be grown on the prairies to an almost illimitable extent.  The leaves were excellent for thatching, as well as for making brooms, mats, hammocks, baskets and a variety of such articles, while the trunks could be converted into canoes, gutters, and timber generally.  There was also one other expensive use of this tree, which the governor had learned from Heaton.  While Bridget was still confined to the ship, after the birth of her daughter.  Mark had brought her a dish of greens, which she pronounced the most delicious of any thing in its way she had ever tasted.  It was composed of the young and delicate leaves of the new growth, or of the summit of the cocoa-nut tree, somewhat resembling the artichoke in their formation, though still more exquisite in taste.  But the tree from which this treat was obtained died,—­a penalty that must ever be paid to partake of that dish.  As soon as Bridget learned this, she forbade the cutting of any more for her use, at least.  All the boats got into port in good season, and the