OHAPTFE II 



Palinaceae 

 Palms 



The nura1)er of known species of palnis is OArer one thousand, , 

 Although c}iiefly natives of tropical rKA--ions, there are many ' 

 extra-troi^ical itierafcers of this princely ordex', several of 

 iShich furnish useful products of commerce, such as the dwarf 

 palm (ehamaerops humilis), Ther-e is scarcely any family of 

 trees that are iiiOre genejally usefiil in tropical climates than 

 the palm triTDe« Numerous races depend almost entirely upon 

 the palms for many irapoj-tant products ; wood and leaves for 

 ha'bltation, "bark and leaves fo)' fabric and cordage, "buds and 

 fruit for food, and sap for sugar and spirit, 



Cocoanut palm, Cocos Nucifera 

 Origin 



Malay Archipelago (?), Polynesia (?); cultivated for how 

 many thousands of years not determined. 



Descr ipt ion 



Much appreciated in the unripe state for the sake of its 

 refreshing liquor ; the shell heing then soft, and the kernel 

 "but just forming in a pulp;/- state has rather an agreeable 



