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greatly relished by pigs, sheep, and other animals. These Palms are 

 fairly hardy. ;nid will thrive in all except the coldest parts of 

 Australasia. 



ftmassus fiabellifanttWi a species indigenous from India to the Persian 

 Gulf, is a noble and useful Palm, commonly known as the " Palmyra."' 

 It has fa n leaves, attains a height of from eighty to a hundred feet, 

 and produces large bunches of fruit. The fruits are large, and used 

 for food. From the sap a large proportion of sugar and wine, or 

 toddy, is obtained. The sap is obtained by making incisions in tire 

 nnexpanded flower stalks. JJorussus JEtJuopic.us, a kindred species 

 indigenous from Kgypt to Zanzibar, also yields an edible fruit and a 

 large amount of sugar and wine from the sap. It is a gig-antic Palm, 

 sometimes the stem being eight or nine feet in diameter, and the 

 leaves ten or twelve feet across. Both species attain a great age, 

 and are said to live over two hundred years. In addition to the 

 value of their fruit and sap, the leaves are also turned to good account 

 for making baskets, mats, and ropes. This genus will only thrive in 

 tropical and semi-tropical regions, but in suitable localities eithei 

 species is well worthy of attention, both as economical and scenic 

 plants. 



A ttalea fui/ife ra, a Brazilian species, vields seeds known as Coquilla 

 Xuts. This species can only be grown in warm regions. 



Arecn catechu, an Indian species, yields seeds known as Betel Xuts, 

 which possess stimulating properties. It requires a warm climate. 



Bactris Gasipws (Giiilielma spfdosa), a handsome species indigenous 

 to Venezuela and other countries bordering the Amazon and Orinoco 

 Rivers, is known as the " Peach Palm." It is a wing-leaved species 

 which attains a height of forty or fifty feet. The fruit is in form 

 like a hen's egg, but much larger, and is produced in large bunches. 

 The yellow pulp covering the seeds is firm and mealy, and has a 

 sweet pleasant flavour. When cooked the fruit is said to combine 

 the flavour of a Potato and a Chestnut, but to be superior to either. 

 This fine Palm is well deserving of attention in tropical and semi- 

 tropical regions, both for its fruit and as an ornamental plant. 



Dipldthemium nwritimum, a dwarf Brazilian species, yields a fruit, 

 the sweet outside pulp of which is edible. The juice of the stem by 

 fermentation also yields an intoxicating beverage, and, consequently 

 the species is known as the Wine Palm. A kindred species, Diplo- 

 themium campestre, of dwarf habit, from the same regions, also yields 

 an edible fruit. These plants can only be grown successfully in 

 tropical or semi-tropical regions, but are worthy of attention as 

 handsome ornamental Palms in congenial localities, irrespective of 

 their value as fruit-bearing species. Another recommendation is 

 that they \vill stand long droughts with impunity, and are, therefore, 

 specially well adapted for dry interior regions. 



El ai$ giiinemis and Klais m<-!nococc, A Vest African species, yield a 

 valuable commercial oil, Avliich is obtained by crushing and pressing 

 the pulpy fruit. The fruit of the last named species is edible, and it 

 also yields a palatable beverage from the fermented juice, consequently 

 it has received the name of the Wine Palm. Both these Palms an; 



