FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 35 



6. Subfamily Nipoideae. The Nipa palm, Nlpa frittlccwH, is 

 common in the Indo-Malayan region. In the Philippine islands and 

 elsewhere its leaves are used for thatching in preference to those of any 

 other palm. 



We may dismiss the consideration of this group with a brief al- 

 lusion to the order Synanthat\ consisting of the single family Cyclan- 

 thaceae, containing over forty species comprised in two genera, natives 

 of tropical America. They are palm-like plants of no especial orna- 

 mental or economic value. 



