44 



TABLE ^^ this Case are exhibited perfect fruits enclosed in 

 CASE the dried fibrous husk-like coating; also a model of a fruit, 

 D, and a series of fruits with the husks removed, showing the 

 usual two-lobed or double form, and three, four, five, and six 

 lobed forms. Observe also germinating fruits and fine male 

 spadices. The latter sometimes grow to ten feet long. The shells 

 of the Coco de Mer are very hard, like those of the ordinary cocoa- 

 nut, but thicker and are often carved, and used for water vessels 

 and similar purposes ; a very fine example is shown in this Case. 

 It is an Indian Fakir's drinking cup ; the three lines encircling it 

 are lines and sentences from the Koran, in Arabic. Initials and 

 the date 1861 are also carved on the shell, likewise in Arabic ; 

 and the rest is profusely ornamented. 



The other side of the Table Case is devoted to various useful 

 and ornamental articles, such as baskets, fans, hats, &c., made 

 in the Seychelles from the dried leaves of the palm. A 

 series of drawings, some of them by General Gordon, is 

 shown on the wall of the entrance passage. Other illustrations 

 of this palm are shown in Museum No. III. (See also North 

 Gallery, Nos. 474, 477.) 

 CASE In the upper division of this Case are spadices of Latania 

 55. Commersonii, Gmel, a palm of Mauritius growing to a height 

 of about 40 feet. Observe also a specimen of fibre from this 

 palm. 



In the same division of the Case are exhibited fruits of 

 Latania Loddigesil, Mart,, a tall palm from Round Island. 



In the central portion of the Case are male and female 

 spadices, and fruits of Latania Verschaffeltii, Lemaire. A 

 palm 40 feet high, native of Rodrigues. Note also a portion 

 of a trunk, and a walking stick made of the beautifully marked 

 wood. 



The lower portion of the Case is devoted to strainers, spoons, 

 mats, and a hat made in Natal from the leaves of a species of 

 HyphcBne (probably H. crinita, Gaert.). Fruits of other species 

 are exhibited from Tropical Africa. 



CASF ^O, 110. Portion of a forked stem of the Doum Palm 

 c^ of Egypt {HyphcBue thebaica, Mart.), exceptional in the Palm 

 Order from its normally branching trunk. 



No. 111. Fine bunch, or spadix of fruits of Hyphcene 

 thebaica. The thick fleshy-fibrous part of the fruit resembles 

 gingerbread both in colour and taste, hence the palm is often 

 known as the Gingerbkead Tree. 



