RATTANS, CANES, ETC. 283 



reasons it does not do well in equatorial climates, as 

 in consequence of the want of a dry season, the cane 

 does not mature to perfection there, and the yield of 

 sugar is in consequence low. 



Another class of jungle plants which deserve a passing 

 mention are the numerous varieties of rattans and other 

 creepers, mostly thorny, which overspread portions of 

 the scrub bush in the tropical jungles. Their conduct 

 in this respect very much resembles that of the giant 

 cable-like lianas of the Equatorial Zone, which there make 

 their way to the tops of the highest trees. Rattans 

 and other canes are however mostly ground creepers, 

 and merely cover bush and trees of the smaller size. 



"Nothing," says Mr. Sanderson, speaking of this class of 

 plants, " can be imagined more graceful, or beautiful, than a 

 cane bush the ordinary cane of commerce. It often grows 

 in extensive plots, but frequently in single plants, running up 

 trees, and crowning them with graceful plumes." : 



Canes, as we know, are used for all sorts of pur- 

 poses, such as walking sticks, baskets, chair bottoms, 

 and so forth ; they grow to a great length, often to 

 200 feet and upwards, and every part of the plant is 

 covered with terrible thorns, which make touching 

 it in any way by no means an easy matter. 



A remarkable thing about some of these canes is 

 that they contain large quantities of clear, and quite 

 drinkable water, so that when a section is cut out of 

 the centre of the plant it sometimes gives off a cupful 

 or more of good water. Canes generally grow best 

 in moist, alluvial bottoms, adjoining rivers ; and in these 

 sorts of places they often form impenetrable thickets. 



* Thirteen Years among the Wild Beasts of India, by George P. 

 Sanderson, 2nd edit., 1879, p. 146. 



