L. H. Gulick on the Climate and Productions of Ponape. 45 
on every portion of the island; gris the usual localities are 
along the shores and on the coral isle 
The leaves of what must I think ty a species of the Sagus are 
used for thatching. It is usually found in quite moist localities, 
It stands perfectly erect and spreads its magnificent tuft at the 
maximum height of perhaps 75 feet. The surface of its fruit is 
broken into lozenge- shaped spaces which are so arranged as to 
remind one of scale armor. = a slight experiment it seems 
probable that sago can be procured from it. 
A ee very near] allied es the Areca Catechu, if it be not 
even on an island so near as Yap, lat. 9° 35’ N., lon . 188° 8! E 
A species of Tacca is scattere a the island, pot might be 
made a nlp oer, article of export. It is pecuharly abundant 
on the Aut 
Malabar nor Sumatra can hone of more; fifteen or eenty ae ay 
be mentioned. The general remark will ‘readily hold, that their 
fruits are not of the most saps kinds, though the most of 
caf in various ways be so pared as to be very palatable 
and important articles of even Seytiagd diet, and at least two 
varieties will hold x gat among oh = luxurious of ee 
certainly 
Philippine ater named WM. textilis, but it is interesting 
several varieties here found roduce a fibre _ cannot be dis- 
tinguished from the Manilla hemp. The natives have from time . 
immemorial known how to prepare and vosuealy dye this fibre, 
_ which they weave into very tasteful and durable belts, that are 
_ worn by the men bound — the body just over the ‘umbilical 
region, above their cocoanut-leaf skirts. One variety, of which 
little care is taken, produces fe abortive fruit, yet compensates 
for its sterility by furnishing what the natives deem an edible 
quite tender and sweetish, and slightly nutritious. 
At least one haet ne of the Lauracee is found here. It must, » 
from its Sage be a species es of Sassafras, but I have 
2 
no m Considerable 
queens - the oa of its stem have at oe times been 
ously nll aeel. It sometimes runs up to the h eight of ffieen 
or twenty feet. The natives distinguish two Varieties one 
