476 



A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



FIG. 260. Fruits and flowers of several of the palms. A, cluster of flowering spikes 

 of the cocoanut palm (Cocos nucifera); B, number of the young fruits of the cocoanut 

 palm; C, cluster of the ovoid fruits of the betel-nut palm (Areca Catechu); D, compound 

 inflorescence of drooping spikes of the kittul (kittool) palm (Caryota urens); E, large clusters 

 of deltoid fruits of kittul palm. Reproduced by permission of the Philadelphia Commercial 

 Museum. 



The cocoanut palm yields a larger number of economic products than any other tree 

 in the world; the fruit is edible and yields the cocoanut oil, the sap produces an alcoholic 

 beverage, the leaves are used for making useful articles, and the wood is employed in cabinet 

 making. 



The Betel-nut palm yields a number of valuable products, the most important being 

 the seed, which is not only used to stimulate digestion, but is used in many religious cere- 

 monies, as well as in regulating the intercourse of the more polished classes of the East. 

 The base of the leaf stalks of the kittul palm yield a fiber which Is elastic, shows considerable 

 tenacity, and is used in the making of brushes for brewers' use. 



