THE PALMS OF BRITISH INDIA AND CEYLON. 967 



for keeping clotlis, betels and arecannts, sacred ashes and other 

 things, for measuring grain, oil and the like, for making cases of 

 several species, for drawing water, and for making mats of dif- 

 ferent kinds. The ribs of the Palmja^a Olas are nsed for making- 

 cords and ropes, winnowing baskets, and brooms, etc. The tender 

 Palmyra leaves are used for making umbrellas, fans, dolls, vessels 

 to eat from, and rolls for the perforated ears. 



The Olas are used in writing the Veds, Shasters, and Agamas, 

 in making deeds, conveyances, dowries, and other presents, in 

 writing interest bonds, in drawing magic diagrams, in writing- 

 letters to friends at a distance, in drawing accounts. 



The names of Palmyra trees are numberless, such as, the white, 

 the tall, the short, the black-fruited, etc. The roots of Palmyra 

 branches that attach themselves to the tree, and the webs that lie 

 interwoven between them, fall off in season, and may be used as 

 fuel. If the several ingredients of the male Palmyra tree be 

 all collected, rubbed into a paste and mixed with cow-milk, 

 et si aliquis, qui vult cuin fcemina rem habere, hoc hibet, ille 

 tem]:>us copulationis jrrotrahere loroterit. The tender pith of the 

 Palmj^ra tree that lies in the top part of the tree is eaten by the 

 people. 



The timber of the tree is used for building temples, palaces, 

 houses, alms-houses and inns ; also as wall-plates, beams, posts, 

 door-frames, pegs, laths and the like. The stump of the tree 

 may be made hollow and used for keeping salt. The produce of 

 the tree may procure to some fields, houses, and jewels. Peace 

 of mind may be secured ; one may live in prosperity and great 

 renown. The Palmyra stone, though boiled or roasted in fire, will 

 still sprout; it is, therefore, of a superior quality. 



The Pandava kings have regained their lost kingdom, because 

 they have eaten Palmyra fruits when in the wilderness. The 

 Pandya King and others are said as having worn garlands of 

 Palmyra blossoms. 



Illustkations. — Plate XXXVIII shows one of the numerous 

 groves of Palmyra Palms in the northern part of Ceylon. In the 



