THE PALMS OP ASIA. , 109 



the same genus, far more generall}^ known than 

 the last. It is called by the natives of Ceylon, 

 where it chiefly grows, the tala, or talipat palm. 

 It also occurs in the Burmese empire, and in 

 other parts of India. Its general appearance is 

 somewhat similar to the last, but it is altof^ether 

 a nobler tree, and more stately in stature and 

 appearance, as well as of more importance in 

 its economical applications. It varies in height 

 from sixty to about two hundred feet. The 

 stem is perfectly straight, from six to ten feet 

 in circumference, and tapers towards the upper 

 part, which is not above half the diameter of 

 the base, while it is firm and strong enough to 

 resist the most violent tropical winds. The 

 leaves, like those of the C. talliem, are fan- 

 shaped, and almost circular, their length being 

 about eighteen feet, and their diameter about 

 fourteen feet. iMr. Bennett, author of a curious 

 work on the fishes of Ceylon, brought home a 

 leaf of this tree thirty-six feet in circumference. 

 The prodigious size of the leaf will be better 

 imderstood when it is stated that ten or twelve 

 (Ivnox says fifteen to twenty) men can be com- 

 pletely sheltered beneath one of them ; while, 

 on the rivers of Ceylon, both the freight and 

 crew on the rafts are often covered entirely by 

 a single leaf, forming a complete canopy above 



