80 THE PALMS OF ASIA. 



root is cliewed in place of the areca nut ; and 

 by the native doctors is considered so efficacious 

 in intermittent and remittent fevers, that it is 

 almost invariably employed by them. Small 

 pieces of it are boiled with dried ginger and 

 jagghery, (palm sugar,) and the decoction is 

 given to the patient at regular intervals. Gutters, 

 drums, and posts, are formed from the trunk ; 

 and the young terminal bud is a delicious escu- 

 lent, whether fricasseed, pickled, or in its raw 

 state, when it is as sweet and crisp as the 

 Catappa almonds. It is said, however, that the 

 trees die if it is removed. The leaves furnish 

 a grateful shade when growing, and after sepa- 

 ration from the tree, their vast size and hard 

 texture render them invaluable as thatch for 

 cottages ; they are moreover manufactured into 

 baskets, buckets close enough to hold water, 

 articles of head-dress, and even books on which 

 writing is traced with an iron style. From 

 the young leaves beautiful lanterns are made. 

 They are excellent food for elephants, and are 

 used by the natives to ornament their dwellings 

 on festive occasions. Their ashes yield potash 

 in abundance ; the mid-rib forms a capital oar; 

 and brushes are formed by bruising the end of 

 a leaf with a portion of the mid-rib adhering to 

 it. The woody ribs of the leaflets are used as 



