276 



INDUSTRIAL PLANTS 



rods, articles of furniture, and various ornaments. In tropical 

 and eastern countries where bamboos flourish, the lises to 

 which the light, strong stems are put would require pages 

 to enumerate. 



The hard parts of certain fruits may be considered also 

 as pseudo-woods, and are sometimes put to minor uses of 

 importance. The hard inner .shell of the coconut forms the 



Fig. 266, II. — Vegetable Ivory. .4, pistillate flower-cluster in bud. B, 

 staniinate flower. C, stamen. D, pollen. E, pistillate flower, cut 

 vertically, showing pistil accompanied by n.idimentary stamens. 

 F, fruit, cut across. G, seed. (Karsten.) 



bowl of the familiar coconut dipper. The shells of various 

 gourds (Fig. 2G5) play a most useful part as vessels for 

 holding liquid or storing food, in the domestic economy of 

 many regions. Finally, may be mentioned the vegetable ivory 

 (Fig. 2G6) which is a seed-food that takes the form of nearly 

 pure cellulose. Large quantities of these seeds are imported 

 and used in place of ivory or bone for umbrella handles, 



