Chap. III.] THE PALMYRA. HI 



and talpat palms rare, the leaves of the former are used 

 for books as well as for letters. 



The 2?almyra^ is another invaluable palm, and one of 

 the most beautiful of the family. It grows in such pro- 

 fusion over the north of Ceylon, and especially in the 

 peninsula of Jaffna, as to form extensive forests, whence 

 its timber is exported for rafters to all parts of the island, 

 as well as to the opposite coast of India, where, though 

 the palmyra grows luxuriantly, its wood, from local 

 causes, is too soft and perishable to be used for any 

 purpose requiring strength and durabihty, qualities which, 

 in the palmjTa of Ceylon, are pre-eminent. To the in 

 habitants of the northern provinces this invaluable tree is 

 of the same importance as tlie coco-nut palm is to the 

 natives of the south. Its fruit yields them food and oil; 

 its juice "palm wine" and sugar ; its stem is the chief 

 material of theii' buildings ; and its leaves, besides serving 

 as roofs to their dwellings and fences to their farms, 

 supply them with matting and baskets, with head-dresses 

 and fans, and serve as a substitute for paper for their 

 deeds and writings, and for the sacred books, Avliich con- 

 tain the traditions of their faith. It has been said with 

 truth that a native of Jaffna, if he be contented with 

 ordinary doors and mud walls, may build an entire house 

 (as he wants neither nails nor iron work), with walls, 

 roof, and covering from the Palmyra palm. From this 

 same tree he may draw his wine, make his oil, kindle his 

 fire, carry his water, store his food, cook his repast, and 

 sweeten it, if he pleases ; in fact, hve from day to day 

 dependent on his palmyra alone. Multitudes so hve, and 

 it may be safely asserted that this tree alone furnishes 

 one-fourth the means of sustenance for the population of 

 the northern provinces. 



^ BorassusflabeUiformis. For an ac- 

 count of the Palmyra, and its culti- 

 vation in the peninsula of Jalliia, 



see Fekgtjson's monogTaph on the 

 Palmyra Palm of Ceylon, Colombo, 

 1850.' 



