36 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 
surface. Another species also much valued in Sarawak is the ‘ Rotang baroh, ” 
C. ertoacanthus Becc. 
Among the best Rotangs of Sarawak I have to mention the “ Rotang Perdas,” 
€. javensis and C. zonatus; the “ Rotang Sakkat,” C. muricatus ; the *'Rotang 
Berman," €. /fabellatus; the *Rotang Jangut” named also ''Rotang batu” or 
*Totang Kawat,” C. filiformis, all of which produce a very long and resistent rattan. 
The last named is the smallest of all. 
The Malay name Rotang is of rather wide significance and includes almost all 
the species of climbing Lepidocaryeae, especially those of the genera Daemonorops and 
Korthalsia, but the rattans which these last named Palms produce are not very slender 
and never have a vitreous polished surface, On this account they are not sought after 
by traders in spite of their being frequently very resistent and therefore largely used 
by the natives for many of the purposes which the canes of the true Calami 
subserve. 
The natives of Malesia occasionally take advantage of the silicious coating of 
the stems of Calami for striking fire, and, moreover, Mr. E, H. Man tells us that 
the Andamanese contrive. to make knives of pieces of the stem of C. palustris 
cut in such away as to present a sharp edge. 
The ruminated seed of certain Calami, being astringent, is sometimes eaten 
as a substitute for that of Areca. For this purpose the seeds of C. erectus and C, 
Flagellum are often used by the poorer people of India. The fruits of C. khasianus seem 
also to be employed in Assam in the same way, and according to a note by 
Mr.C. B. Clarke attached to a specimen in my herbarium, this species appears 
to be cultivated at Naughedam in Assam, 
The pulp which envelopes the fruit of some of the larger species, such as 
C. ornatus and C. Manan, is edible, being white, acidulous and refreshing. According 
to E. H. Man tne Andamaneese eat the cooked seeds of C. longisetus. 
The long large leaflets of the fronds of C, andamanicus are employed in the 
Andamans for thatching. | 
A few, probably hypothetical, medicinal properties have been attributed to some 
species of Calamus, Rheede says that the fruit of C. Rheedei dried and powdered, 
heals ulcerated knees, and Rumph- tells us that the ashes of the stem of C. viminalis 
mixed with Arak, are a remedy against the bite of venomous animals. The J avanese, 
according to Blume, attribute to the roots of C. ornatus, bruised in water, the property 
of alleviating the pains of labour, while Amboinese ladies, according to Rumph, use 
the water which flows abundantly from the stems of certain species when they are 
cut across, as a cosmetic to prevent the fall and increase the growth of their 
hair. | : 
Blanco asserts that the fruit of C. mollis is considered in the Philippines to be 
poisonous, but l think this can hardly be possible. If true, this would be the only 
instance of a Palm containing a poisonous substance. | E | | ig 
