558 



GUMS, RESIXS, ETC. 



obtain fertile seed. The large whitish seeds (contained in large 

 round clusters of spiky fruits, produced at the base of the palm) 

 become very hard as they ripen, and are known as "vegetable 

 ivory." They are in demand for making superior buttons, articles 

 of ornaments, etc., and are said to command at present about 

 34s. per cwt. The source of supply is confined to Central America, 

 and the annual average production is about 48 million pounds, all 

 of which is exported. 



IVORY-NUT PALM (FEMALE), A. FRUIT CLUSTER. 



Other palm seeds are also used to some extent as vegetable 

 ivory, as the Raphia vinifera of West Africa and the Coquilla-nuts 

 (Altalea funifera) of Brazil. The seeds of the Talipot Palm 

 (Corypha umbraculifera) are commonly worked into buttons and 

 articles of ornament in Ceylon. 



Chicle Gum, or Zapote Chico. The milky juice of the tree 

 Achras Sapota or "Sapodilla" (N. O. Sapotaceae), obtained from 



