21 



but the interior is filled with pith or medulla, the cells of which are so full 

 of the starch that it is stated on the authority' of Crawfurd and Blume, 

 as much as from 500 to 800 lbs. are sometimes yielded by one tree. For 

 making the sago the tree must be cut before fructification commences. 



The hairs of the petioles of 8. filaris are used by the Malays for 

 sewing. 



Raphia is a genus of magnificent South American palms, luxu- 

 riating in the rich plains of the Amazon. One species R. Tccdigera, 

 (Martins,) is a glorious object — the enormous plume of pinnate leaves 

 rising gracefully as feathers from the top of its cylindrical stem, is 

 often from 00 to 70 feet in height. Tt is a great blessing to the 

 natives, who make from the hard outer portion of the petioles, 

 baskets, window blinds, &c. ; from the softer internal portion they 

 make shutters, doors, boxes, and almost every other domestic article 

 which, in other countries, would be made of harder woods. The 

 entomologists who explore its habitat are glad to get the pith for their 

 insect boxes, in which it takes the place of cork. 



Plectocomia elongata yields materials from its stems and petioles 

 for making baskets and wicker work : this genus is East Indian. 



EuGEissoNA is another Indian genus. Very common in Penang, 

 the species E. triste, called by tlie Malays Bertam yields abundant 

 materials formats and thatch. 



Section Second. — Fax-leaved. 



Mauritia (LinnsBus). — An American genus, contains several useful 

 species. 



M. flexuosa (Linnaeus). — One of the finest of the Amazonian 

 palms, is of immense importance to the natives, who make, from the 

 exterior of the petioles, window blinds, baskets, etc. ; and from the 

 epidermis of the partially expanded young leaves, a beautiful thread 

 with which they make their cordage and their hammock-cloths, 

 especially the netted hammock or " rede," which is often brought to 

 Liverpool, as a curiosity. The fruit is scaly ; but below the hard scales 

 is a soft pulp, which the Indians scrape off and ferment in water, 

 making a very favourite acid drink. 



M. carana (Wallace). — Ptemarkable for its very beautiful fruit ; pro- 

 duces an inferior kind of piassava, whilst the hard portions of the 

 petioles are abundantly used for basket-work, lattice-work, &c., and the 

 leaves are much prized for thatching : this, in a country where thatch 

 if? so universally used, is of great importance. It is stated that a roof 

 thatched witli Caranua will last for eight or ten years. From the 

 wounded spadix of M. vinifera, is made a kind of palm wine or toddy. 



D 



