Tropical Nut Research Articles

Technical examination and restoration of a ceremonial shield from the Solomon Islands

The materials of a shell-inlaid shield (wicker, paste layer and mother-of-pearl) were subjected to a technical examination. The wicker and the mother-of-pearl were examined by microscopy and the materials used were identified by visual comparison with appropriate reference materials. The paste layer was analyzed using microchemical methods. The fatty acid analysis of the oleaginous binding medium of the paste layer was carried out by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The fatty acid composition of a tropical nut (Parinarium hahlii Warb.), potentially used as binding medium, was investigated. The main component was identified as the highly unsaturated elaeostearic acid (9, 11,13-octadecatrienoic acid). For reference purposes, the pulp material of the kernels of the parinarium nut was artificially aged. The resulting gas chromatographic pattern was found to correspond qualitatively with that of the paste layer, supporting the assumption that parinarium nuts were applied as the binding media for such shields. The consolidation of the shield was carried out using a stabilizing emulsion, which was specially developed for this purpose. The restoration of the shield is described in detail, especially the replacement of 262 shell chips.

Insect Visitors of Lecythis elliptica H.B.K.

It was found during investigations conducted with the tropical nut tree, Lecythis elliptica H.B.K., that the flowers of this plant are allogamous and not autogamous. The plant is entomophilous and not anemophilous. A survey of the insect fauna of this plant indicates that no less than 43 species representing 36 families of 10 orders frequent it during the blooming season. Observations also indicate that the primary pollinating insects are the female carpenter bee, Xylocopa brasilianorum (L.), and also females of the white grub-parasite, Campsomeris trifasciata (F.).