will, probably, always remain good markets for the raw nut, there appears to be every chance of the value of the produce affording ample remuneration to the planter.

Coco-nut beetle.—­The chief natural enemy of this tree is a destructive species of elephant-beetle (Oryctes Rhinoceros), which begins by nibbling the leaves into the shape of a fan; it then perforates the central pithy fibre, so that the leaf snaps off; and lastly, it descends into the folds of the upper shoot, where it bores itself a nest, and if not speedily extracted or killed, will soon destroy the tree.  At Singapore, on account of the depredations of this beetle, the difficulties have been considerable.

In Pinang and Province Wellesley it has only been observed within the last two years, and it is believed to have come from Keddah.  A similar kind of beetle is, however, found on the Coromandel coast.  The natives of Keddah say that this insect appears at intervals of two, three, or more years.

Its larvae, which are also very formidable insects or grubs, about three inches long, with large reddish heads, are found in decaying vegetable matter.  It is when the tree has made considerable progress, however, that the parent insect does most mischief.  When they are from one to two years old, throwing out their graceful branches in quick succession with the greatest vigor, and promising in three or four years more to yield their ruddy fruit, this destructive enemy begins to exercise his boring propensities; and, making his horn act as an auger, he soon penetrates the soft and yielding fibre of the young tree, and if not discovered in time, destroys the leading shoot or branch.  The only remedy which has been adopted in Ceylon, is the following:—­Several intelligent boys are provided each with an iron needle or probe, of about a foot long, with a sharp double barbed point, like a fish-hook, and a ring handle; they go through the plantation looking narrowly about the trees, and when they perceive the hole in the trunk, which indicates that the enemy is at work, they thrust in the barbed instrument and pull him out.  Sometimes he may only have just commenced, when his capture is more easily effected, but even should he have penetrated to the very heart of the tree, the deadly needle does not fail in its errand, but brings the culprit out, impaled and writhing on its point.  This is the only known way of checking the ravages of this beetle, except destroying its larvae.  Some cultivators, however, think pouring salt water or brine on the top of the tree, so as to descend among the folds of the upper shoots, a good plan to get rid of the larvae.

Nearly two million coco-nuts are shipped annually from Bahia.

From Ceylon, 114,600 coco-nuts were shipped in 1851, and 70,185 in 1852.

Coco-nut oil; 98,159 gallons were shipped from Ceylon in 1852; 359,233 gallons in 1851.

The prices of Ceylon oil have ranged from L31 to L33 10s. per tun; of Cochin oil, L34 to L35, within the last two years.  The price per leaguer in Colombo, without casks, has been L8 10s. to L9.