80 THE WONDERS OF VEGETATION. 



the same conditions as the sesamum which produces 

 the gurgelly oil of commerce, for it is exclusively 

 found in the tropical regions of Africa. It grows in 

 large clusters in sheltered and fertile spots, and its 

 magnificent appearance recalls that of the date palm 

 of the Arabs. The oil is generally exported in its 

 crude state and refined abroad, while at Marseilles it 

 is made to produce soap also, and candles. 



THE BOURBON PALM. 



Linnaeus gave to the palms the pompous title of the 

 Princes of the Vegetable World. It may be truly 

 said that they are the aristocracy of the world of 

 plants, and on account of their beauty and majestic 

 stature they are worthy of the name that he gave 

 them. 



The bourbon palm, and especially the red lata- 

 nier, as it is called in Louisiana also, is one of the 

 most beautiful of the family of palms. It came origi- 

 nally from the Southern provinces of China, and is 

 spread over the whole of India. The flower is of a 

 superb red color. The leaves are used by the natives 

 to thatch their huts, and the fibres for the manufac- 

 ture of light hats, as comfortable as our Panama hats, 

 but very different in form and structure. This tree 

 only flowers twice in a century. 



The frontispiece of Hindoo manuscripts very fre- 

 quently consists of a drawing representing the esteem 

 in which palms are held in India : A man is seen 

 reading, reposing under the shade of one of these 

 trees. In fact, India is indebted to the palms not only 



