420 PALM^J. [Wallwhia. 



Kumaun ; Ooh, Lepcha ; Takosu, Nep. ; Zanoung, Burm., is a small stemless palm, 

 common in the outer Himalaya, from Kumaun eastwards, up to 4,000 feet, and in 

 Eastern Bengal and Chittagong. In Kumaun the leaves are used for thatch and in 

 Darjeeling for fodder for ponies. W. caryotoides, lioxb. ; Brandis550; Kurz ii. 532 

 (Wrightea caryotoides, Roxb. M. Ind. iii. 621) Vern. Chilpatta, bclpatta, Chittagong ; 

 Mochooma, Magh ; Zanoung, Burm., is a small palm of Chittagong and Burma. 

 (Kurz refers to W. caryotoides, the W. densiflora of Brandis : this genus then 

 requires further investigation). W. nana, Griff., is described as a small palm found 

 near Gauhati in Assam. W. disticha, T. And. in Jjinn. Soc. Journal xi. 49, p. 6 ; 

 Gamble 84. Vern. Katong, Lepcha, is a handsome palm of the outer hills of Sikkim, 

 found by Brandis as far west as Kumaun in 1874. It grows to a height of 20 feet, 

 and has distichous leaves joined at the base by a network of dark fibres. The 

 Lepchas fell it to eat the pith of the stem near the summit of the tree. Anderson 

 says the berries, and perhaps the leaves, irritate the skin. The wood is soft, the 

 stem almost hollow in the centre, and the fibrovascular bundles dark brown coloured 

 (E 878, E 2460.. Darjeeling). W. Yomce, Kurz ii. 533. Vern. Zanoung, Burm., is an 

 arborescent species of the Pegu Yoma, with longer pinnae and the leaves spirally 

 arranged. 



8. CARYOTA, Linn. 



Two, or perhaps three, species. C. sobolifera, Wall.; Kurz ii. 530. Vern. 

 Baratahdak, And., said by Mr. Homfray to be called the ' Sago Palm ' (No. B 1045, 

 Andamans), is a soboliferous palm of the tropical forests of Arracan, Martaban and 

 the Andaman Islands. Griffith describes a C. obtusa from the Mislimi Hills resem- 

 bling C. urens, but having more obtuse pinnules. 



1. C. urens, Linn.; Roxb. Fl. Ind. iii. 625; Brandis 550; Kurz 

 ii. 5-30; Gamble 84. Vern. JRungbong, simong, Lepcha; Baraflawar, 

 Ass.; Salopa, Uriya ; Mhdr, marcli, mari, jirugu, Tel.; Conda-panna, 

 erim-panna, utali-panna, Tarn. ; Bhyni, beina, bagni, Kan. ; Berli, 

 Mar.; Shunda pana, Mai.; Kittul, nepora, Cingh. ; HlyambaUj Mag-h ; 

 Minbo, Burm. 



A beautiful tree, with smooth annulate stem, large bipinnate leaves 

 and wedge-shaped leaflets. The outer part of the stem is hard and durable 

 and the vascular bundles crowded, black, very large. 



Evergreen forests of western and eastern moist zone of India. On the Western 

 Ghats it extends to near Mahableshwar. It is common in Burma, Bengal, and 

 Orissa, ascending in Sikkim up to 5,000 feet. 



A. Mendis gives the weight at 71 Ibs. per cubic foot, our specimen weighs 45 Ibs. 

 only, but perhaps contains more of the softer inner wood. The wood is strong and 

 durable; it is used for agricultural purposes, water conduits and buckets. The leaves 

 give the ' JLiltul ' fibre, which is very strong, and is made into ropes, brushes, brooms, 

 baskets and other articles ; the fibre from the sheathing petioles and the peduncle 

 is made into ropes and fishing lines, which are very strong. The interior of the 

 stem is filled with a sago-like starch which is made into bread or boiled into gruel. 

 Seemann says it is good and very nutritious. From the cut spadix large quantities 

 of toddy are obtained, which is either fermented or boiled down into sugar. With 

 regard to the length of life of the tree, Seemann says (Popular History of Patina. 

 p. 135) : 



" The Caryotas flower only once during their course of existence. The first spadix 

 appears at the top of the tree; as soon as that has done flowering, others (latent buds) 

 issuing from the axils, or former axils, of the leaves, make their aj-peaianee : this 

 ])io( CHS, being of a downward tendency, is repeated until the la;<t spadix, which may 

 l>e looked upon as the death-knell of the plant, shews itself at the foot of the trunk, 

 proclaiming that the hour of departure from life is at hand." 



Ibs. 



E 2459. Chawa Jhora, Sivoke, Darjeeling 45 



No. 44. Ceylon Collection 71 



