FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 33 



fjiiiiily, and the more important genera contained in each. 



1. Subfamily C()ryph()idea\ The type genns, ('<>rj/j>h<i, inchides 

 a numl)er of useful pahns, such as tiie lalii)ot {(_'. innhiuKxHfi ra) the 

 tah"ei-a ( C. 7"^///,"rc/) and the gebang {(_'. <j<hiinga). The lea\es in this 

 group are mainl}' fan-shaped, and are utilized not only in the manu- 

 facture of fans, but of hats, baskets and other articles, \^^alking- 

 slicks are made from the stems of the Penang lawyer, a species of 

 L/ruida growing in Penang. The genus Cliaiiiaerops includes the only 

 l)alm growing in Southern Europe; it is a dwarf species, similar in 

 general appearance to the saw palmetto of our southern ]^ine barrens. 

 The date palm [PJioenir (luctyUfeni) is the most important tree of this 

 tribe; its uses are too well known to require discussion. Within re- 

 cent years the date has l)een intro(iuced into cultivation in certain parts 

 of Arizona, with fair prospect of success. The comuion Chinese fan 

 pi'.m of eMiJtivation b;;l()n2;s to the ofenus Livistona. 



'2. Sul)family Horassoideae. This includes the Palmyra jiaim 

 {[]"riisxic<jf(thrll!f()rinJs) which is one of the sources of palm wine and 

 palm sugar known as yVc/V'/v/. The leaves are used for thatching, and 

 for the manufacture of many useful articles; the fruit contains edible 

 seeds, and its i>ulp is roasted and eaten. Prol)ably no other species of 

 palm yields a greater variety of })roducts than this. The doum palm 

 {Iltjl>]i(vne Th :/!)<( ! ca) \ti unitpie in the possession of branching stems; 

 its fruit is a staple article of diet in Arabia. The singular fruits 

 known as "sea-cocoanuts'" are the product of a palm known as Lo- 

 (Joici^'i Si'dtellunnii ; it is something of a botanical curiosity, being 

 confined to the Seychelles Islands, and is likely lo become extinct in 

 the near future. 



3. Sul)family Lepidocaryoidete. The Soutn American ita palm, 

 Mdiii'itia lii .ciio^d^ is another species atf'ording many useful products; 

 it furnishes a valuable fiber, and is one of the sources of jair2:ery. 

 The genus C((hn)tu^ includes a large number of species, all Asiatic, 

 known as rattan or cane palms; some are low bushes, others climb by 

 means of hooked spines on their leaf -stalks. Rattan is a familiar 

 article oi" commerce derived from these species, while several yield a 

 a good quality of sago or starch, and one, C. Draco, the drug known 

 as dragon's blood. 



4. Subfamily Ceroxyloidetv. The betel palm, Areca Catechu, 

 and the numerous species of Ai'cea seen in cultivation afford illustra- 

 tions of the beauty of palms belonging to this genus. Their long 



