USES OF PALM PRODUCTS 247 
lowing are very ornamental, but are not as yet cultivated: Aveca 
vidaliana, Arenga ambong, and Zalacca clemensiana. The 
leaves of the coconut are used extensively in temporary decora- 
tions and large numbers of them are employed on Palm Sunday. 
Raincoats. The leaves of Livistona spp., Nipa fruticans, and 
Phoenix hanceana are used for raincoats. 
Rattans. Rattan is supplied by the climbing palms Calamus, 
Daemonorops, and Korthalsia; the best commercial rattan being 
furnished by the genus Calamus. The entire cane of the rattan 
is used in the manufacture of chairs and other furniture and 
for walking sticks. The split canes are used for bale-ties, bas- 
kets, hats, fish traps, mats, chairs, bottoms and backs of so-called 
cane-seat chairs, parts of beds, tables, etc., and in great quan- 
tities for tying together posts, beams, rafters, flooring and 
roofing in the majority of light wooden and bamboo houses. 
The central portion of the canes is split and used for wicker 
(so-called ‘“‘reed’’) furniture. 
Rope. See Fibers. 
Slippers. The lower sheath-like parts of the leaf stalks of 
Areca catechu (betel palm) are used for inner soles; and the 
outer part of the petioles of Corypha elata (buri) for soles of 
sandals. 
Spear shafts. The hard outer wood of Livistona spp. and On- 
cosperma spp. is a favorite material for this purpose. The en- 
tire stems of some of the small erect palms (perhaps Pinanga 
spp.) and occasionally some of the hardest and stiffest rattans 
are also used. 
Starch. This product is obtained from the stems of Corypha 
elata (buri), Arenga pinnata (sugar palm), and Metroxylon 
sagu (sago palm), and sometimes from species of Caryota. 
Stinging Crystals. The fruits of Arenga pinnata (sugar palm) 
contain stinging crystals which are sometimes used for the pro- 
tection of fish ponds against nocturnal robbers. 
Sugar. This product is obtained from Arenga pinnata (sugar 
palm) and Corypha elata (buri). The Nipa palm is a very 
promising commercial source of sugar, while the juice of Cory- 
pha used in connection with the juice of sugar cane might also 
be a commercial source. Sugar could be manufactured from the 
sap of the coconut palm. 
Syrup. This product is manufactured from the sap of Corypha 
elata (buri). 
Tannin. The fruits of Areca catechu (betel palm) contain a 
considerable quantity of tannin. 
Thatching Material. The leaves of Nipa are the most widely used 
