786 DIOECIA HEXANDRIA. PhwJlix. 



there is a small elevation, under which is an oblong pit con- 

 taining the embryo or first principle of the new plant. 



The leaflets are wrought into mats for sleeping upon, &c. 

 The common petioles are split into three or four, and used to 

 make common baskets of various kinds, but they are not so 

 good for this purpose as the Bamboo, which is very elastic, 

 much more durable, and splits easily. The small trunk when 

 divested of its leaves, and the strong brown fibrous web that 

 surrounds it at their insertions, is generally about fifteen or 

 eighteen inches long, and six in diameter at the thickest 

 part; its exterior or woody part consists of white fibres mat- 

 ted together, these envelope a large quantity of farinaceous 

 substance, which the natives use for food in times of scarcity. 

 To procure this meal, the small trunk is split into six or 

 eight pieces, dried, and beat in wooden mortars, till the fari. 

 naceous part is detached from the fibres ; it is then sifted to 

 separate them, the meal is then fit for use. The only further 

 preparation it undergoes, is the boiling it into a thick gruel, 

 or as it is called in India, Kanji; it seems to possess less nou- 

 rishment than the common sago, and is less palatable, being 

 considerably bitter when boiled; probably a little care in the 

 preparation, and varying the mode, might improve it ; how- 

 ever, it certainly deserves attention, for during the end of 

 the last, and beginning of this year, and even again at this 

 present time. May 1792, it has saved many lives. Rice was 

 too dear, and at times not to be had, which forced many of 

 the poor to have recourse to these sorts of food. Fortunately 

 it is one of the most common plants on this part of the coast, 

 particularly near the sea. 



3. P. dactylifera. Willd. iv. 730. 



Leaves pinnate, unarmed; leujlets folded together, linear- 

 lanceolate, strait. 



Numerous attempts have been made to familiarize this 

 useful tree to the soil and climate of India, but I have not 

 been able to learn that any one has been successful. 1 have 



