452 



BOTANICAL GAZETTE 



[DECEMBER 



Though in the form of a boat, this curious date-leaf affair is really a 

 boat-shaped raft, for nothing but the fact that the bottom stands high 

 out of the water prevents the waves from entering and flooding it. 

 They are not pitched or painted in any way, and would doubtless 





"^r 



-"K-^ii 



T"*K"' 



^ 



Sf? 



be short-lived were they not dried out carefully on the beach whenever 

 the owner is not using them. The paddles are the only parts of the 

 boat which are not made of the date palm, being crooked, irregular 



