PALMS. 31 



Coripheae and Chamaerops are palmate. As their 

 aspect differs materially from that of the Date Palm their 

 introduction is a distinct gain to the landscape of the 

 Riviera. Chamaerops excelsa has alread\' attained a con- 

 siderable height in man^• gardens. It is one of the har- 

 diest of the introduced species, so much so that it stands 

 the \\iiiter in the Isle of Wight without protection. In 

 fact it has proved itself to be liardier than our European 

 Dwarf Palm. PrUcJtardia jfilifera is a great fa^-ourite 

 in gardens because of tlie numerous wliite threads which 

 hang out from the edges of the leaves. (Jne of the com- 

 monest Palms on the Riviera is Phoenix cainirioifis, which 

 is ver\- like the Date Palm, but differs from it in its 

 sturdier and more luxuriant growth. In sheltered places 

 on the Ri\'iera several species of the genus Cocos suc- 

 ceed, for Instance (.'. fir.xiiosa and Nonnii/zofjidi/a, botli 

 exceedingh- elegant, and also the prett\- glaucous Cocos 

 australis whose ^'ellow or red fruits ripen here. These 

 are almost as large as an Qgg and are much esteemed 

 in Nice, Cannes and San Remo because their juicy cov- 

 ering smells of Pine Apple. The true Coconut Palm, 

 Cocos nucifcra, cannot survive either liere or on tlie 

 southern shores of the Mediterranean. Its cultivation is 

 confined to the tropics. The leaves of the Coconut Palm 

 resemble those of tlie Phoenix. Areca Palms also have 

 similar foliage. A. sapida and Baiieri thrive on the 

 Riviera: they are closely related to Areca Catechu, 

 which produces the Betel nut, — tliose nuts which, sprink- 

 led with powdered lime and wrapped in Betel pepper 

 leaves (Piper Beile), are chewed by young and old in 



