' PALMS, AND THEIR USES. 29 



rudentum, 0. Boyleanus, and C. viminalis, and it is com- 

 puted that six or seven millions of these canes are an- 

 nually imported into this country, and consumed in the 

 manufacture of carriages, in making seats to chairs and 

 stools, in the construction of couches, and in broom 

 making ; they are also dyed and substituted for whale- 

 bone in the ribs of umbrellas. " Malacca Canes " are 

 imported from Singapore and Malacca, and are the pro- 

 duce of Galamus Scipionum, which is a native of the 

 Island of Sumatra ; the walking canes imported under 

 the name of " Penang Lawyers," are also the produce 

 of various species of this genus. From Calamus Draco, 

 a resin is obtained and imported into this country under 

 the name of " Dragon's Blood," which is extensively 

 used for colouring varnishes, &c., &c. ; whilst from the 

 leaves of nearly all the species, handsome and very or- 

 namental hats and caps are made. 



Leaving the Calami, we shall next bring to the notice 

 of our readers the various uses of that exceedingly hand- 

 some Palm, Gocos nucifera, the fruit of which, by the 

 name of Cocoa Nut, is too well known to need descrip- 

 tion. Independent of the value of its nuts, nearly every 

 part of the plant is tamed to important uses. Its timber, 

 under the name of " Porcupine Wood," is brought to 

 this country in large quantities, and used in the con- 

 struction of ornamental chairs, couches, and various other 

 kinds of furniture; many fancy articles are also made 

 of it, such as fand, tea-pots, walking-sticks, combs, &c. 

 The leaves are used for thatching the native huts, and 

 for making into baskets : whilst the well-known nut is a 

 nutritious article of food, and from it is extracted an oil 

 of excellent quality, which is -imported into this country 

 to the extent of about 2,000 tons annually. The shell 



