THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 201 



Long Island. Zamia tennis Willd. is confined to New Providence and Andros, 

 and Prunus spharocarpa Sw. is known only from New Providence. There are, 

 of course, a large number of species that have so far been collected from only 

 one spot, but most of these will no doubt later be found to be more widely 

 distributed. Until each island has been pretty thoroughly explored, it will 

 scarcely be worth while to go into any detailed discussion of local distribution. 

 Our data are at present not sufficient to warrant any definite conclusions. 



INDIGENOUS TREES AND SHRUBS USEFUL FOR THEIR WOOD OR 



LEAVES. 12 



INODES PALMETTO (Walt.) Cook (Thatch Palm). 



Plate XXXVII, Fig. 1. 



This is the same as the palmetto of our southern United States. Its 

 leaves are used for thatching and sometimes for baskets. It has been reported 

 from New Providence, Eleuthera, Cat and Watlings Islands. 



COCCOTHKINAX JUCUNDA Sarg. (Silver-thatch Palm). 

 A smaller palm than the preceding. The silvery leaves, which are much 

 used for making hats and baskets, are collected green and dried in ovens. 

 This palm is common along the shores of New Providence, Green Cay, Eleu- 

 thera and Watlings Island. It also occurs in Florida. 



THRINAX BAHAMENSIS Cook (Goat Palm, Silver Palm). 



Plate XXXVIII, Fig. 2. 



This is about the same size and appearance as the silver-thatch palm, 

 but the two may be readily distinguished when in bloom by the honey fragrance 

 of the former plant and the fetid odor of the latter. Leaves of the goat palm 

 are used for the same purposes as those of the preceding. It is endemic to 

 the Bahamas and has so far been found on New Providence, Andros, Green 

 Cay, Eleuthera, Cat and Watlings Islands. 



CJESALPINIA VESICAKIA L. (Braziletto). 



A small tree with dark heart wood that produces a valuable red or yellow 

 dye. We found it on Long Island and it is said to grow on the western end 

 of New Providence. It is also a native of Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti. We 

 cannot find that it is now exported from the Bahamas. 



12 The words " Jessup Coll." following a species indicate that its wood may be 

 found in the Jessup Collection of woods at the American Museum of Natural His- 

 tory, New York City. 



