SUGAR 63 



and \^ feet in diameter. Into this the juice, which Nature 

 intended for the nourishment of the gigantic central shoot, 

 continually oozes in such quantities that it is sometimes 

 found necessary to remove it two to three times a clay. In 

 order to facilitate this operation, the leaves on one side are 

 cut off so as to admit a free approach. The aquamiel before 

 it ferments is extremely sweet, and can be evaporated to 

 correspond with the " jaggery " of India. 



Ropes, nets, table-mats, thatch, thread, cords, pins, and 

 needles are made from the leaves. 



Bamboo Palm 



(Raphia viniferd) 



This palm is called " Ukot " in Old Calabar, West Africa, 

 where it is cultivated ; and at Usambara, East Africa, is 

 called " Mwale." It is common in Yoruba, Nupe, Upper 

 and Central and Lower Guinea, Africa, and Fernando Po. 

 The toddy (juice) is called, by the Arabs, Lagmi or Lagby, 

 and Bourdon in some parts of West Africa. 



The toddy, which is produced in large quantities, is 

 obtained by cutting out the terminal inflorescence (flower- 

 ing part) as soon as it appears. Another authority says, in 

 regard to the toddy of West Africa, that the trunk of the 

 tree is tapped under every branch of fruit, and each opening 

 yields nearly a gallon in a day. 



The dried pinn^ of the leaves are used for making ropes ; 

 the long midrib of the leaflets for roofing, which lasts tliree 

 years ; the soft inside for mats ; leafstalks as poles to carry 

 palanquins ; brooms from the midribs of the leaves, and 



