28 TEINIDAD AND TOBAGO BULLETIN. [XX. 1. 



Arclioniopliocnix Cunninghamii. Tropical Australia. 



Of variable heiglit very similar to Archontophoenix Alexandrae but 

 recognizable from that species by the under sides of the leaves being 

 green whilst in A. Alexandrae they are glaucous. The pinniB are also 

 paler green and more thickly dispersed and the leaf stalks are 

 much flatter. 



Areca Catechu. Betel Nut Palm. iMalaya. 



A graceful slender stemmed palm, reaching to a height of 50 feet or 

 more with a small crown of pinnate leaves. The yellow egg-shaped 

 fruits each contain one seed about the size of a nutmeg and with 

 similar internal markings. See also p. 11. 



Areca mnda<jascariensis. Bamboo Palm. Madagascar. 



A lofty palm with numerous bamboo-like stems, showing distinct 

 cu'cular markings 4 to 6 inches apart. Leaves pinnate, dark green. 



Areixga saccharijera. Gomutti or Sugar Palm. Malay. 



A large palm 30 to 40 feet high, with very large pinnate leaves. It is 

 extensively cultivated in the East for sugar ; the tree is said to reach 

 its flowering stage about its twelfth year, and to continue to bear for 

 four or five years before it dies. 



Sago is manufactured from the large quantities of starchy matter 

 contained in the heart of the stem. By tapping tlie male inflorescences 

 and afterwards evaporating the sap jaggery or palm sugar is obtained. 



Astrocarijum aureuvi. Native. 



Height sixty feet; exceedingly spiny; long sharp black spines being 

 developed on stem, leaves, peduncle and spathe. Old and young plants 

 are alike strongly armed. Leaves pinnate, with shiny segments. 



Attalea Coltiine. Cohune Palm. Honduras and Guiana. 



A spineless palm, height 50 to 60 feet with large, erect, ultimately 

 spreading pinnate leaves. Fruits large brown about the size of hen's 

 eggs and borne in large pendant clusters. 



Cohune nut-oil used for illuminating purposes is obtained from the 

 kernels. This is considered superior to coconut oil but it is costly to 

 prepare, owing to the thickness of the walls of the fruit and the 

 comparative small size of the kernels. 



Bactris major. Native. 



A slender, many stemmed palm growing to a height of 20 to 30 feet, 

 freely armed with black spines several inches in length. The leaves 

 pinnate. Flowers yellow, fruit about the size of pigeons' eggs, said to be 

 edible. It occurs chiefly in damp lands in both Trinidad and Tobago. 



? BentincTcia nicoharica. Nicobar. 



In great demand in the colony as a decorative pot plant, being 

 exceptionally graceful in the young stage. Leaves pinnate with drooping 

 segments, the plant in general appearance somewhat resembling 

 Euterpe ediilis. 



