PALMACE#. 713 
nearly 100,000 tons annually. In India it is much esteemed as a pomatum ; 
but its unpleasant odour, and the rancid character which it soon acquires, 
prevent its use in this country for such a purpose. The oleine obtained by 
pressure from the crude oil, and afterwards purified by alkalies, &c., has 
been recommended as a substitute for cod-liver oil, but although its employ- 
ment has been favourably reported upon by some phy sicians, it has not been 
generally approved. From the fibrous portion of the pericarp the strong 
fibre called Coir or Cocoa-nut fibre is obtained. Coir is remarkable for its 
durability, and is accordingly much used for cordage, fishing-nets, matting, 
scrubbing-brushes, &c. The wood of the Cocoa- nut Palm is very hard, 
handsome, and durable, and is employed for several purposes under the name 
of Porcupine Wood. 
Copernicia cerifera, the Carnauba Palm, is a native of the Brazils. On 
the lower surface of its leaves wax is secreted, which is occasionally im- 
ported under the name of Carnauba or Brazilian Wax. The root is said 
to resemble Sarsaparilla in its medicinal properties, and has recently been 
imported into this country. 
C rypha umbraculifera, the Talipot Palm, yields a kind of Sago in 
Ceylon, but this is not an article of commerce. 
| Elais guineensis and £. melanococca, the Guinea Oil Palms.—The sarco- 
carp of the drupaceous fruits of these Palms abounds in oil, which when 
extracted is known as Palm Oil. This is a solid butter-like oil, of a rich 
orange-yellow colour, and is extensively used in this country and elsewhere 
in the manufacture of soap and candles, and for lubricating the wheels of 
railway-carriages, &c. The imports amount to at least 50,000 tons annu- 
ally. In Africa Palm Oil is used as food by the natives. The hard stony 
putamen of the same fruits also yields a limpid oil. Palm wine or toddy is 
likewise obtained from the wounded spathes of these Palms. 
Euterpe.—E. montana is one of the Cabbage Palms. It is so called from 
the circumstance of its young terminal leaf-bud being boiled and eaten as 
a vegetable. From the fruits of other species, as E. edulis and EF. Assi, 
pleasant beverages are prepared. 
Hyphene thebaica, the Doum Palm of Egypt (fig. 200). The pericarp 
of the fruit of this Palm resembles gingerbread ; hence this plant is some- 
times known as the Gingerbread tree. 
Leopoldinia Piassaba.—The persistent petiole-bases of this Palm termi- 
nate in long pendulous beards of bristle-like fibres; these are cut off from 
the young plants after having been previously combed out by means of a 
rude comb, and now form an important article of commerce in Brazil. The 
fibres are known under the names of Piassaba or Piacava, Para Grass, or 
Monkey Grass. They are chiefly used asa substitute for bristles by brush- 
makers, and for making the stout brooms now commonly employed for 
cleaning the streets, &c. Two kinds of Piassaba fibre are known in com- 
merce—one, the finer variety, imported from Para, and therefore known in 
commerce as Para Piassaba, which is derrved from this plant; and a 
coarser kind obtained from <Attaleua funifera. (See Atialea.) According 
to Spruce, the pulp of the ripe fruit yields a delicious drink, resembling 
cream in colour and taste. 
Mauritia vinifera, the Muriti Palm, and M. fleruosa, yield a large 
quantity of toddy. 
Metroxylon (Sagus) .—From the trunks of WM. Sagu or M. leve, and M. 
Rumphi', the principal part of our Sago is obtained; from the former as 
much as 800 pounds may be procured from a single plant. Sago is principally 
imported into this country from Singapore. The average importation for 
some years has exceeded 4,000 tons. All the Sago consumed in this 
country is derived from these palins and Arenga saccharifera. (See Arenga 
and Cycas. ) 
Phenix.—P. dactylifera is the Date Palm. The fruits called dates are 
