THE PALMS OF BRITISH INDIA AND CEYLON. 



395 



petals sessile, tips only exserted. Fruit seated on the minute 

 perianth, subglobose, i inch in diameter, mucronate, scales many 

 in a vertical series, pale yellow with a very narrow thin discoloured 



marsfin and shallow median channel. 



(t^ 



ig- 



o 



) 



Fig. 2— Flowers and fruit of Calamus rotang L, (After Griffith). 



Habitat.— Central Provinces, the Deccau, Carnatik, Ceylon, (not 



in Bengal). '' 



Flowers. — In February and March. 



JJSES.— Calamus rotang, and various other long trailing species, 

 yield the common rattan of commerce, which, though apparently 

 insignificant, form a considerable article of export. When fresh 

 gathered, the stems are covered with green sheaths, but are 

 divested of them while yet in a green state, and then dried. They 

 are extensively used as props for plants, as well as for cables, ropes, 

 wicker-work, baskets, chairs, and couches ; being very strong, and 

 at the same time flexible, they are admirably adapted for those 

 purposes. Cordage and cables for vessels are sometimes made from 

 the stems twisted together. In fact, their strength is exceedingly 

 .great .when several are. twisted in this way, and will answer all the 

 pui-poses of the strongest cables. Rattans are occasionally used in 



