276 



INDUSTRIAL PLANTS 



rods, articles of furniture, and various ornaments. In tropical 

 and eastern countries where bamboos flourish, the uses to 

 which the hght, strong stems are put would require pages 

 to enumerate. 



The hard parts of certain fruits may be considered also 

 as pseudo-woods, and are sometimes put to minor uses of 

 importance. The hard inner shell of the coconid forms the 



Fig. 2(ili, II.— Veget:il)le l\ 



A. pistillate linwer-cluyter in 1:)iid. B, 

 istamiiiiite flower. C, stamen. Z), pollen. E, jiistillate fltn^-er, cut 

 ■\'erti(-ally, showing pistil accompanied liy riKlimentai">' staniens. 

 F, fruit, cut across. 6-', seed. (Karstcn.J 



bowl of the familiar coconut dipper. The shells of various 

 gourds (Fig. 2(j.5) play :i most useful part as vessels for 

 hokhng liquid or storing food, in the domestic economy of 

 many regions. Finally, may he mentioned the reiielahle iroiij 

 (Fig. 2(i(i) which is a set'd-food that takes the form of nearly 

 pure cellulose. Ijarge quantitii>s (if thes(> s(>eds are imported 

 and used in pl;i(-(> of ivory or bone foi' umbrella handles, 



