LettersPage01

Recently I have surfed your website
http://www.ernestartist.org/CocosNucifera01.htm

However, I do not find the Latin name of the coconut shell . Would you please
let me know the type of coconut shell which can be used for activated carbon and
the Latin name of coconut shell?

Following my previous questions from the following website:
http://www.ernestartist.org/CocosNucifera01.htm

1. What is the exact botanical term for "coconut shell" and "coconut husk"?
2. Which morphological organs of the plant does the "shell" include for the
production of activated carbon

I am including an except from "Cocos Nucifera" By Karen Smith ... I hope this answers your questions.

Fruit ovoid, 3-angled, 15-30 cm long, containing single seed; exocarp a thick fibrous, husk, enclosing a hard, bony endocarp or shell.
The outer part of the trunk of the coconut palm furnishes, a construction lumber, known as porcupine wood for houses and furniture. The swollen base of the trunk, when hollowed, can be turned into a hula drum that the Hawaiians use for entertainment. These are just a few examples of how extraordinary the coconut palm can be utilized. The coconut was first mentioned in 545 AD by an Egyptian Monk named Cosmos Indicopleustes. He visited western India and Ceylon. In his "Topographia Christiana", Cosmos describes the coconut as the "great nut of India." The Mahavasma, an ancient chronological history of Ceylon, describes the planting of coconuts in that country in 589 AD.

In 1280 Marco Polo, described coconut growing in Sumatra, as well as in Madras and Malabar in India, calling it nux indica, the Indian nut. The first detailed description of the coconut palm in western literature was provided by the Italian explorer Lodovico, di Varthema in his "Itinerario" of 1510, in which he referred to it astenga.

The coconut palm was unquestionable spread by Austronesians through the Pacific, perhaps eventually to the Pacific coast of Central America, and westward to India and East Africa. In Western Melanesian charred fruits were sited back to 3000 BC. The coconut was an important tropical economic with its enormous range of uses. Palmae, the palm family to which the coconut belongs to, is one of the oldest and most diverse of the plant families. Palms have many botanical characteristics such as woody trunk, in many species, perennial growth, leaves which are folded like a fan and the
production of a single seed leaf which, along with grasses, lilies and other families classifies them as monocotyledons. There have been sixty other species under the genus Cocos, but the coconut palm stands by itself and is monotypic - meaning that within the genus Cocos only one species, nucifera, is recognized. Consequently, every coconut palm in the world is taxonomically the same species, which probably makes it most abundant single food tree in existence.

There have been many other palms that have been classified very closely to the coconut, which have confused it with other plethora of scientific and popular names. One example, the double coconut, also known as the Maldive nut, Lodoicea maldivia. This very large nut looks like two coconuts joined together, side by side, but it is not related to the coconut. It belongs to the Borassoid group of palms. Two major classes of coconuts are typically recognized on the basis of stature: tall and dwarf. The ones most commonly planted for commercial purposes are the tall varieties, which are slow to mature and first flower six to ten years after planting. They produce medium-to-large size nuts and have a life span of sixty to seventy years. The dwarf
varieties may have originated as a mutation of tall types. The dwarf variety may grow to a height of twenty-five to thirty feet and begin flower after three years, being only about three feet tall. Their life span is only about thirty years. Although highly difficult to grow, the dwarf varieties are valued because they bear early and are resistant to lethal yellow ring disease.

It is the first time I have seen a warning on a plant page. Aside from the contact dermatitis, is there any other danger, like to animals? I handled it today and despite having sensitive skin, had no reaction. I have another plant, black eyed Susan vine that if I brush up and touch my arms or neck, within minutes I have to be in a shower.

Tina.

Dear Tina;
first of all, I don't want to scare you, just have you realize that some of the juices in these plants can be harmful. I have not heard of any animals being make sick (domestics, such as goats, sheep, cows, and pigs) My poisonous plants books don't mention this sort of thing unless there has been major problems (such as Castor oil plants) but there are toxic chemicals in the sap, not powerful, but enough so that allergic reactions commonly happen.

Cotinus Coggygria and Cotinus Obvatus both are in the "anacardiaceae" or cashew family. Other members of this family include:

Anacardium occidentale, cashew. The fleshy "cashew apple" at the base of the fruiting structure is edible. The seed is also edible and delicious when roasted, but care must be taken to avoid the juice from the raw shell around the seed as it may cause skin burns.

Mangifera indica, mango. Tree from India with a rounded crown and large, delicious fruits. One of the most commonly planted trees in Hawaii. The Hayden is probably the most highly prized of the more than 40 varieties grown locally. The bark is sometimes used in tanning leather and in making a yellow dye. Various parts of the plant are used medicinally. Some persons are allergic to mango fruits, especially the sticky resin that may ooze from the skin, which is not all that surprising because poison oak belongs to the same family.

Rhus sandwicensis, neleau, Hawaiian endemic.

Semecarpus nigroviridis, marking-nut tree. Species in this genus have a very caustic resinous sap that turns black and hardens upon exposure to air. The fleshy cup at the base of the fruit is reportedly edible when roasted.
Semecarpus sp., see info above.

Toxicodendron diversilobum, poison oak, Avery Park, Corvallis, OR, 2002.

Anacardiaceae - The cashew family is composed of shrubs or small trees with resinous or milky sap.
Flowers are bisexual and mostly radially symmetrical; usually five sepals and petals; five or ten stamens; all attached to base of the ovary.
Leaves are simple or pinnately compound.
Fruits are berry-like.
Some of these species are grown as ornamentals or landscape decoration; some are grown for their nuts (the cashew is produced by Anacardium occidentale) and still others (poison ivy) can cause severe skin irritation. This family has also been known as the sumac family.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's a good question. Most of the graffiti I have doesn't have signatures, some do... others are signatures that can only be understood by the artist themselves. This particular work still exists (I think.) So I will go have a look and see if I can figure out who is who.
Thanks for the inquiry.
Peter Tanner,
ernestartist.org

Thanks for your for your reply! I found a site representing the artists who did the Holiday Inn work.
http://www.socialconstruct.com
I thought that you'd like to know.

Thanks Again, I like "John Marshall" stuff, and the "Dect" stuff, I have seen someplace, but can't remember where. I should explain that one... I have been photographing graffiti since about 1980 ('burn out brothers' in Chicago) and since 1982 in Vancouver ('pablo fiasco'). Between USA, Canada and Mexico, lots of the images start to run together in a sort of homogenized blur.

The website is a good source, with lots of artists featured ... thanks again.
Peter Tanner,
ernestartist.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What a wonderful website, I found it via a google search for Chinese Lanterns
(Physalis Alkekengi). Three hours later, I am very impressed, and bookmarking
it for future reference. Thanks very much, from Oregon.

Ditto on your site. I have always wondered how to price that kind of thing, Occupied Japan figurines and so on.
Thanks for the words of praise... The website is an ongoing evolution of images and subject matter - plants, graffiti and Mexico/travel stuff works best.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My name is Geneva and I live in Montreal. I came across your website
while trying to find out how many kilometers it is from Vancouver to the Mexican
border. I am part of a group planning on riding to Mexico this summer. We need
to be in Cancun by September 9th, and plan to ride our bikes from Vancouver to
Southern California, then store our bikes, take the ferry to Mexico, and bus
down to Cancun. (Our group will be at least 20, and we *need* to get to Cancun
by September 9th, and do not feel totally comfortable riding through Northern
Mexico).

We are just beginning to plan the details now, so I am looking for someone who
knows the best route to take (preferably down the West Coast), and someone who
can tell us how long it takes, how many kilometer, other useful tid bits of
info, etc.

Buenos Dias Geneva Guerin;
Thanks for the interest in my web site. That is a very long haul down through Mexico for sure. Although I have not biked from Vancouver to Mexico, I have biked from Vancouver to Florida, and biked through parts of Mexico. I have also done some driving through Mexico and I can assure you, it is no easy task... having said that, I can say that it will be a great trip for you.

The best way to bike through the USA is the interstate highway system, as the roads are the smoothest and the grades on the hills are the easiest to pedal through. I have found through traveling by VW van, some back roads that might be a bit better to traverse.
Interstate 5 is good to leave Vancouver on, but you are not able to travel I-5 through the major cities. The best thing to do is head over to highway 9 south before you get to Bellingham, following it almost to Bellevue Washington. I would attempt from there to travel I-90 to Yakima river, then I-82 to South of Kennerwick and pick up I-84.
You will find the roads good, lots of shoulder to ride on, and the mountain pass spectacular - 17 miles up and 27 miles coasting down after the summit.
I 84 will take you through Oregon to Idaho, to I-15 near Salt Lake city. That's the difficult part, getting through the major cities on the Interstate. Most State Troopers don't mind you traveling along it, some will chase you off... so that means you have to find back roads around the areas in question. Most State Troopers will let you off with a warning, try to scare you and just let you go ... I have a few warning tickets myself.
I-15 will take you all the way to LA ... I know what you are saying, "that is the long way around." Okay, yes it is, sort of ... but the Police will leave you alone on that route more so than if you take I-5 straight South. Or perhaps you would like to head over to the Olympia Peninsula and take the coastal route down ... if you like a head wind all the way.
Anyway to go, you will have a good trip I am sure. Mexico is another story all to its self.
Keep in touch, if I can offer any advice, let me know.
Take care,
ernestartist.org

Have you ever seen the Mexican papayas growing on large papaya farms? Do you
know if they are grown naturally usually or do they usually spray the papaya
trees with pesticides? Your help is greatly appreciated.

NTancheff;
I have seen larger papaya harvests, on two scales... one, is on the village scale. The villagers will grow papaya in larger quantities for the surrounding villages (if there is a large city nearby) and as I could see, they didn't use any pesticides.
The second scale, is more for the larger market. Like bananas, they go all out for an export market (even if it is just going to, say, Mexico City) planting hundreds of trees in a plantation. I have not see with my own eyes that they would use pesticides on this scale, but I imagine that they would because it is a large, cash crop. I have seen no evidence to support this, and it is only speculation. I will investigate further when I go down again next winter.
Thanks for your interest, I hope the insight helps,
regards,

Thank you very much. Yes, if there is any way to learn more for me that
would be wonderful. It would make me feel as though I could begin eating
them if I ever learned that they were not sprayed with pesticides. I imagine
the papayas that come to Tijuana and Tecate are also grown on those large
scale farms you talked about.

I am trying to locate an astrologer/hypnotist by the name of Geoff
Gray Cobb. He was the resident astrologer on the CBS TV program "Beyond
Reason". I came across one of his books that he wrote back in the early
1980's and was so inspired by it that I wanted to contact him personally. Do
you know if he has an e-mail address or mailing address so I could contact
him. I would really appreciate any way I could possibly reach him. Thank you
so much. Be well and God bless.

Answered;

Hi M. Terry;
Interesting that you should mention Geoff Gray Cobb. I was working for Total Recording company back in the early 80's, about 1981 I think, and Ralf Harding called me up one day to come down to his office on Granville street in Vancouver (that's when Total records still had record and cassette business going here in Vancouver.)
He and Connie Harding were about to do a hypnotist album (Total records did a lot of Sound effect records in the 70's and 80's) with Geoff Gray Cobb. I met the gentleman that same day, made a few photos with my Medium format camera, and happily went on my way, not really knowing who he was.
As it turns out, Geoff Gray Cobb didn't like the stuff I had made, so I went back for a round "2" which worked out rather well and every one was happy. The record was published, and I never heard from, or about Geoff Gray Cobb again, until you wrote me...
I would start by doing a search on Ralf Harding, and Total Record Company... they moved to Vancouver Island about 1984 or so, after spending a couple of years in North Vancouver. I don't think business went too well for them, because the record Market for sound effects took a nose dive... however, the family did continue the business as far as I know, in Vancouver Island.
I will do a search through my old photos to see what Ralf and Connie's daughter and Son-in-law's name was to try continuing with that train of thought.
Thanks for that memory,
Peter Tanner,
Ernestartist