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ments are wedge-shaped, the apex being curiously and irregu- 
larly toothed with one side extending into a tail-like appendage, 
giving to this and other members of this genus the common 
name of fishtail palms. 
At its old home, owing to its constantly increasing height, it 
had been found necessary to lower the tub into a pit which at the 
time of its removal was between six and seven feet deep. This 
considerably increased the difficulty of removing it, but by dig- 
ging an inclined ditch to the base of the pit, it was possible to 
slide the plant out to the surface. It was transported on a large 
four-horse truck, leaving Madison at noon of October 21st, and 
arriving at the Garden about 24 hours later. The distance cov- 
ered was some forty miles, and the weight of the palm was esti- 
mated at about two tons. 
The genus Caryota comprises about 10 species, ranging from 
tropical Asia through the Malay region to New Guinea and the 
northern coast of Australia. The species under consideration is 
one of the largest, attaining a height of 30 to 50 feet, and inhabits 
India and the Malay region. This is one of the palms from 
which palm wine or toddy is obtained. To secure this the flower- 
ing spadix is cut off before it expands, and a vessel so arranged 
as to receive the flow of sap, which is said to continue flowing 
sometimes for a month. This sap when distilled becomes arrack, 
or Indian gin. A part of the sago of commerce is also secured 
from this palm; this important article of food is manufactured 
from the internal tissues of the trunk. 
This palm is of rapid growth and its life is relatively but a 
short one, as it belongs to that class of palms which begin to 
flower at the summit. This process of flowering continues 
downward, the flower clusters arising from the old leaf sheaths, 
until the base is reached, when the plant dies. Some of the 
other species of this genus produce suckers or shoots from the 
base, thus perpetuating themselves, but this species does not 
resort to this. Its life, though comparatively short, is cer- 
tainly blessed with a graceful dignity possessed by few of its 
relatives. 
GEORGE V. Nasu. 
