125 
as that of Borassus. The sap, from which spirit is distilled, is also 
known as “ toddy ” in India and “ tuba” in the Philippine Islands, i in 
both of which countries the collection of the sap for the distillation 
of alcohol is of some considerable importance. In the Philippines, 
the average daily production of “tuba” from one palm is— 
0°65 litre, and each tree is said to develop about ten ssilonebiaies 
a year, each one yielding sap for about two months. Healthy trees 
give from 300-400 litres of sap annually, according to age, being 
considered at their best when about 40 years old.’ In India the 
yield of juice is given at about 12 Madras measures (1}-2 gallons)— 
seven measures in the morning and five in the evening, and the 
length of time a tree continues to yield varies from six months to 
a year in very oo. soil.” The average a of alcohol 
Shine from the sap is 6°] per cent. by volume, but some loss is 
said to occur partly Lecting fermentation and partly Autia distilla- 
tion, because of the crude methods aeiaghiae 
Buri Palm (Corypha elata, Roxb.), common in India, eee 
Islands, &. This palm is capable of viahilislg alcohol, but as it 
flowers only once during its life it is of no particular importance, 
.and the yield is estimated at only about 3 per cent.* 
Gomuti or Sugar Palm (Arenga saccharifera, Labill.). A tree 
30-40 feet high, native of the Sunda, Molucca and Philippine 
Islands ; cultivated in Malacca, Siam, Cochin ina, Java, &c. 
It flowers when about 10 years old, when “ toddy ” may be drawn 
the yield continuing: for approximately two years, at the rate of 
about 3 quartsaday.’ “ Arrack” is distilled from the sap in Java, 
the rb pan &e. This palm also dies when the fruit is ripe or 
after tappin 
Nipa Palm (Nipa eink Wurmb.). A low, branched palm, 
stem or root-stock stout. Found in the Sunderbunds of India, 
extending eastwards be the, Philippine Islands, and southwards to 
Malaya, Ceylon, Australia, &c., growing gregari iously in swampy 
regions. This palm is the most important source of alcohol in the 
Philippines, the only country where it appears to be exploited on 
a commercial scale for the purpose. The industry gathers im- 
portance from the fact that the Nipa succeeds best in oie a at 
where little else is likely to grow. It is tapped for “tuba 
about the fifth year after planting, the method being on the same 
principle as that for the Cocoa-nut Palm (Cocos nucifera) and other 
palms mentioned ; the flowering or fruiting spadix is cut near the 
top, a thin slice being remove each day to eet the wound 
lives for a go | 
suggested’ as the probable Oot The number of plants per 
hectare has been estimated at about 2,000 to 2,250, giving a 
il per year of 86,862 litres of sap approximately, the average 
' Gibbs, Philippine Journ. nas Chem. Series, vi. June 1911, p. 154. 
? Dict, Econ. Prod. India, i 50. 
3 Gibbs, l.c. p. 163. 
pS Prod. Indi 302. 
5 Dict. Econ. Pr ndia, i. p. 
. Gibbs, Piaiippine Journ. Science, Chem. Series, vi. April 1911, p. 116, 
