ANTH0PH7TA. 



273 



is supplied by one or another of the palms. The Oocoa- 

 nut-palm, now grown in all hot climates, is one of the 

 most useful of the species, furnishing material for huts, 

 fences, baskets, buckets, ropes, mats, cups, food, wine, 

 and many other purposes. The Date-palm of the Mediter- 

 ranean region, the Palmyra Palm of Southern Asia, and 

 the Sago-palms of Siam and the Indian Archipelago are all 

 food-producing trees of great importance to the people of 

 these countries. 



518. The Bananas likewise furnish great quantities of 

 food to the natives of tropical countries. There are several 



Ftg. 160.— Part of a flowering plant of the Banana, showing the unfold- 

 ing flower-bud and the young fruits. 



species and many varieties ; all are large herbs with a palm- 

 like aspect, often 3 to 5 metres (10-15 feet) high. Their 

 fruits are borne at the summit of the stem, a large flower- 

 ing bud gradually unfolding and exposing clusters of small 

 flowers which produce the well-known fruits (Fig. 160), 



