36 
first idea of the Gothic column and arch was suggested by 
the stem and fronds of the Palm. If any thing could confirm 
in that opinion such as entertain it, it would be the appear- 
ance of this grove, than which nothing can approach nearer 
to the finest specimens of that style of architecture. The 
trees are arranged in regular avenues, crossing each other at 
right angles, and the height of the stems is so equal, and the 
arching of the fronds so true, that I could hardly persuade 
myself that such perfect symmetry could be attained without 
the assistance ofart. The foliage is so thick overhead, that not 
a ray of light can penetrate from above, and so completely is 
vegetation destroyed in the shade, that while walking through 
it, I fancied myself treading the cold paved floor of a Gothic 
cathedral. | 
* [ also observed in the Garden some fine specimens of the 
Palmyra or Toddy Palm (Borassus flabelliformis), called in 
India * Taul or Tala? The Palmyra and the Cocoa (Cocos 
nucifera) are extensively cultivated throughout Bengal, and 
both of them are remarkable for the variety of useful purposes 
to which they are subservient. From both of them is extracted 
the liquor called Toddy, which is procured by cutting off the 
flower-stalk, and attaching to the stump of it a bottle, a joint 
of bamboo, or a calabash, to receive the sap that flows copi- 
ously from the wound. This sap tastes exactly like the milk 
of the cocoa-nut, and possesses an aperient virtue which 
recommends it to the generality of Europæan settlers, but it 
must be used very soon after it has been collected, otherwise 
it begins to ferment, and acquires an intoxicating quality. 
This fermented liquor, subjected to distillation, yields an 
ardent spirit of the most pernicious kind, known by the name 
of pariah arrack. "The annual produce of one of these trees 
is valued at eight or ten rupees. The crust of the Palmyra 
stem is extremely hard, and split into five or six divisions is 
used in constructing huts and bungaloes. The leaves resemble 
those of the Latania, and are used as hand-punkahs or fans; 
for which purpose the loose extremities are pared off to a cer- 
tain form, and the border secured by a net-work of wire. 
These fans are usually painted of a variety of gaudy colours. 
