THE PALMS OF BRITISR INDIA AND CEYLON. 453 



tlie albumen of the seed, when free from this noxious covering, the 

 Chinese prepare sweetmeat. 



(e) Fibre. — At the base of the petioles completely embracing 

 the trunk, is found a beautiful black horse-hair-like fibre, known as 

 the Eju or Gomuta fibre. This fibrous substance is superior in 

 qualit}^, cheapness and durability to that obtained from the husk of 

 the coconut, and is well known for its power of resisting wet. It 

 has been recommended for ropes intended for use under water and 

 even as covering for submarine telegraph cables. 



The coarsest fibre, according to Watt, is onl}^ fit for brush- 

 making. For this purpose the leaves are first washed and then 

 soaked in an alkaline solution. ^ 



The natives of the Indian Islands use the fibre for every purpose 

 of cordage, domestic and naval :-" The coarser parts," says Seemann, 

 " found with this vegetable horse-hair, are used by all the tribes 

 who write on paper as pens, and they are the arrows used by others 

 to discharge, poisoned or otherwise, from blo\^ -pipes or arrow tubes. 

 Underneath this material is found a substance of a soft gossamer- 

 like texture, which is imported into China. It is applied as oakum 

 in caulking the seams of ships, and more generally as tinder for 

 kindling fire ; it is for this latter purpose that it is chiefly in request 

 among the Chinese." 



The fibrous material mentioned above is also used as a thatch, in 

 the same manner we do straw, and not unfrequently over the bamboo 

 thatch. In this case the roof is so durable as never to require removal, 

 the fibres, of all vegetable substances, being the least prone to decay. 

 For this reason, it is a common practice to wrap a quantity of the 

 fibres round the ends of timbers or posts which are to be fixed 

 in the ground. It is, besides, used, among other purposes, for 

 making ropes, and mixing with mortar. Low mentions that " the 

 hairy filaments are plaited hj the natives of Borneo into ornaments 

 for the arms, legs and neck, which are more pleasing in their deep 

 black hue and neat appearance than the heads and brass with which 

 these people are fond of adorning their persons. " 



(/) Farm. —When the leaves are very young they are eaten, like 

 those of the- American Cabbage Palm (Oreodoxa oleracea, Mart). 



Griffith writes that trees which have died after the ripening of 

 the whole crop of fruit, are almost hollow, and particularly adapted 

 for making troughs, spouts or channels for water, and that they last 

 extremely well undei'ground. 



From the leaf-sheath sandals are made. 



Gakdening in Europe. — All the species of the genus Arenga 

 re(|uire a strong heat. Young specimens, it appears, do not last long 

 when kept free in the drawing room. Much water, rich mould 

 and good drainage are absolutely necessary. 



]. Morris, Contor. Lect. Journ, Sos. Arts, Oct. 18th (1895), p. 931 



