366 FOREST CULTURE AND 
Phoenix paludosa, Roxb.—India. A stout species, 
not very tall. Of value, at least, for decorative cult- 
ure. 
Phoenix pusilla, Geertner.—India and South China. 
A dwarf species, likely also to be hardy here. P. fa- 
rinifera, Roxb., appears to be identical. It is adapted 
for sandy and otherwise dry and barren land, but pre- 
fers the vicinity of the sea. Berry shining black, 
with a sweet, mealy pulp. 
Phoenix reclinata, Jacquin.—South Africa, in the 
eastern districts. A hardy species, but not tall, often 
reclining. It is adapted for ornamentation. The 
seeds are frequently drawn into local use as a substi- 
tute for coffee. 
Phoenix silvestris, Roxb.—India, almost on any soil 
orinany situation. Ithas proved at Melbourne a very 
hardy species. Its greatest height is 40 feet. Berries 
yellowish or reddish, larger thanin P. pusilla. Where 
this palm abounds much sugar is obtained from it by 
evaporation of the sap, which flows from incisions 
into the upper part of the trunk, a process not sacri- 
ficing the plant, as for 20 years the sap can thus be 
withdrawn. <A kind of Arrack is obtained by fer- 
mentation and distillation of this sap. Each plant 
furnishes the juice for about 8 Ibs. of date-sugar annu- 
ally, butin some instances much more. About 50,000 
tons of sugar are produced a yearin Bengal alone from 
this and some other palms. 
Pheenix spinosa, Thonning.—Tropical Africa, as- 
cending mountain regions, thus perhaps hardy here 
with us. Dr. Kirk found the green bunches, if im- 
mersed in water for half a day, suddenly to assume a 
scarlet hue, and then the astringent pulp to become 
edible and sweet. 
