32 



CASE tribes of Northern Africa and the Sahara, whose most im- 

 35. portant wants it supplies. The fruit is the common food of 

 themselves and their cattle, while the huts and houses are 

 chiefly constructed of Date wood. The culture of the Date is 

 of great antiquity. It was emblematic of the Jewish nation. 

 Jericho was the City of Palm Trees. 



The Date Palm is cultivated at Bordighera exclusively for 

 its leaves, which are blanched by being tied up during growth, 

 and are exported thence in large quantities for use in church 

 festivals. 



No. 64. Basket or crate made of petioles of the Date 

 Palm from Egypt. In the upper part of the Case is shown a 

 hanging flower basket also made of the petioles of the date 

 palm, from Bordighera. Note also rope made of fibre of leaves 

 from India and wood of Date Palm from Algeria. 

 CASE The upper part of this Case contains baskets, rope, cordage, 



3(5, &c. made from Date Palm leaves, also walking sticks made of 



the petioles, and a large series of Date fruits from Baghdad 

 and India. Observe also samples of Date Sugar and Date 

 Spirit, and on lower shelf of Case sections of Date Palm 

 trunk. 



CASE No. 65. Mats made in Zanzibar from leaves of Phoeni.r 



37, spinosa, Schum. Thonn. 



No. 66. Mats and Baskets made in Ceylon from the 

 leaves of Phoenix sylvestris, Roxb. Observe also wood of the 

 same species, also Jaggery and Sugar Spirit, and model of two 

 toddy collectors cut in the wood of the Shola. Photographs 

 of branching trees of this palm are also shown. 



On the mantel-piece of this room is a large fishing net made 

 of the petioles of this Palm from Ceylon. 



CASE Tribe III. Corypheje. — No. 67. Screens or Shields 

 38. made of the large leaves ornamented, of the Talipot 

 Palm {Corypha umbraculifera, Lin.). These leaves grow to a 

 very large size. They are commonly used by the Sinhalese for 

 umbrellas, one outspread leaf, it is said, being sufficient to give 

 shelter to seven or eight persons ; they are also used for tents, 

 being strong, light, and waterproof, and very easily set up. 

 (A tent covering 23 feet by 6 is shown in Case 17, Room 

 No. 2.) 



No. 68. Sinhalese Books made of the folded leaves of 

 the Talipot Palm. They are used for wiiting on with a brass 

 or iron style. 



