164 THE PLANT WORLD 



ornament, it is important. In Central and South America the huts of 

 the natives are almost always surrounded by a growth of bananas, the 

 broad ribbons of which droop and flutter in the wind. 



Like the camel among animals is the date tree among plants. The 

 inhabitants of the desert regions of Africa and Arabia depend upon both 

 alike. Besides the fruit, which makes a large part of the food of these 

 people, there is hardly any part of the tree that is useless. Wine is made 

 from the fruit, and the fibrous parts are employed for the manufacture 

 of baskets, cords, mats, etc. The heart of the tree contains a substance 

 not unlike sago, very nutritious and palatable. Even the leaves are em- 

 ployed as fans, brooms, and mats, and the stem of the leaf is made into 

 many articles of furniture. 



Next in interest, probably, are the rattan baskets, canes, couches, 

 chairs, carriages, mats, and hats which are made of it. It is largely em- 

 ployed, too, in the manufacture of cables and ropes for marine service. 

 In mountainous districts bridges are made of it, as are also houses. One 

 species yields the dye called dragon's-blood. In New Zealand the so- 

 called flax, Phormiuni tenax, is applied to almost as many purposes ; nor 

 should we forget the thousand applications of the cactus in Mexico. 



The cocoanut tree, in the countries where it grows, is employed in as 

 many ways as either of the classes of plants before mentioned. Its fibre 

 enters largely into fabrics ; its oil is of vast importance ; the butter is 

 used in many ways. In some regions it furnishes all the necessaries of 

 life. Every part of the tree is put to some useful purpose. Clothes- 

 brushes, brooms, mats, hats, cushion-stuffings, and mattresses are made 

 of its 3^arn, called coir. Its food products are numerous, and it yields a 

 liquor called toddy. Garments, thatch, ornamental work-boxes, and 

 medicines are all derived from the cocoanut. 



We are often told of the intimate relations that exist between insects 

 and certain plants. Is it not possible that the annihilation of those 

 plants here mentioned would necessitate the decadence of many 

 peoples ? W. Whitman Bailey. 



Browu University, Providence, R. I. 



THE WATER-HYACINTH IN GEORGIA. 



The introduction and rapid spread of the water-hyacinth {Piaropus 

 crassipes) in some of the rivers of Florida, and the consequent injury to 

 navigation, fishing, lumbering, and other industries, attracted consider- 

 able attention a few years ago, but since that time the plants are said to 

 have so decreased in numbers as to be no longer troublesome. 



This species does not seem to have been reported as growing spon- 

 taneously in this country outside of Florida, however, so I was somewhat 



