105 



Phoenix paludosa, Roxb. 



India. A stout species, not very tall. Of value at least for 

 decorative culture. 



Phoenix pusilla, G-aertner. 



India and South China. ,A dwarf species, likely also to be 

 hardy here. P. farinifera, Roxb., appears to be identical. 

 It is adapted for sandy and otherwise dry and barren land, 

 but prefers the vicinity of the sea. Berry shining black, 

 with a sweet mealy pulp. 



Phoenix reclinata, Jacquin. 



South Africa in the eastern districts. A hardy species, but 

 not tall, often reclining. It is adapted for ornamentation. 

 The seeds are frequently drawn into local use as a substi- 

 tute for coifee. 



Phoenix silvestris, Roxb. 



India, almost on any soil or in any situation. It has proved 

 at Melbourne a very hardy species. Its greatest height is 

 40 feet. Berries yellowish or reddish, larger than in P. 

 pusilla. Where this palm abounds much sugar is obtained 

 from it by evaporation of the sap, which flows from incisions 

 into the upper part of the trunk, a process not sacrificing 

 the plant, as for 20 years the sap can thus be withdrawn. 

 A kind of Arack is obtained by fermentation and distillation 

 of this sap. Each plant furnishes the juice for about 8 Ibs. 

 of Date-sugar annually, but in some instances much more. 

 About 50,000 tons of sugar are produced a yea* in Bengal 

 alone from this and some other palms. 



Phoenix spinosa, Thonning. 



Tropical Africa, ascending mountain regions, thus perhaps 

 hardy here with us. Dr. Kirk found the green bunches, if 

 immersed in water for half a day, suddenly to assume a 

 scarlet hue, and then the astringent pulp to become edible 

 and sweet. 



X Phormium tenax, J. R- and G-. Forster.* 



The Flax-lily of New Zealand, where it occurs as far south 

 as 46 30', occurring also in the Chatham Islands and 

 Norfolk Island, though not on Lord Howe'* ?^.*$ad. It 



