CHAP. III.] THE PALMYRA. HI 



are abundant, and talpat palms rare, the leaves of the 

 former are used for books as well as for letters. 



The palmyra 1 is another invaluable palm, and one of 

 the most beautiful of the family. It grows in such pro- 

 fusion over the north of Ceylon, and especiaUy in the 

 peninsula of Jaffna, as to form extensive forests, whence 

 its timber is exported for rafters to all parts of the island, 

 as well as to the opposite coast of India, where, though 

 the palmyra grows luxuriantly, its wood, from local 

 causes, is too soft and perishable to be used for any 

 purpose requiring strength and durability, qualities which, 

 in the palmyra of Ceylon, are pre-eminent. To the in- 

 habitants of the northern provinces this invaluable tree is 

 of the same importance as the coco-nut palm is to the 

 natives of the south. Its fruit yields them food and oil; 

 its juice "palm wine" and sugar ; its stem is the chief 

 material of their buildings ; and its leaves, besides serving 

 as roofs to their dwellings and fences to their farms, 

 supply them with matting and baskets, with head-dresses 

 and fans, and serve as a substitute for paper for their 

 deeds and writings, and for the sacred books, which con- 

 tain the traditions of their faith. It has been 'said with 

 truth that a native of Jaffna, if he be contented with 

 ordinary doors and mud walls, may build an entire house 

 (as he wants neither nails nor iron work), with Avails, 

 roof, and covering from the Palmyra palm. From this 

 same tree he may draw liis wine, make his oil, kindle his 

 fire, carry his water, store his food, cook his repast, and 

 sweeten it, if he pleases ; in fact, he does so live from 

 day to day dependent on his palmyra alone. Multitudes 

 so live, and it may be safely asserted that this tree alone 

 furnishes one-fourth the means of sustenance for the popu- 

 lation of the northern provinces. 



1 Borassusjktbelliformis. Foranac- j see FERGUSON'S monograph on the 

 count of the Palmyra, and its culti- Palmyra Palm of Ceylon, Colombo, 

 vation in the peninsula of Jaffna, | 1850. See also Vol. II. p. 519. 



