SOME BOTANIC GARDENS ABROAD. 



197 



history and the religious systems of the people haye been handed 

 down to modern times. 



When a Talipot palm reaches maturity its leaves decrease 

 in size and finally a eiffantic bud nearly four feet in height is 

 developed. This bud bursts open with a report, and an immense 

 inflorescence unfolds itself, appearing* like a pyramid of cream- 

 colored flowers rising to a height of 20 feet or more above the 

 leafy crown. Innumerable nuts follow in due course and their 

 appearance is a sign that the tree is nearing its end. It gradu- 

 ally begins to droop, the leaves wither and in less than a year it 

 falls dead. 



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Fiyuie 40. Areta Palms (Aieca catechu) in a Cevlon garden. 



