32 OENAMESTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



Hats," are the produce of Chamssrops leaves, from which 

 are also made brushes, baskets, and coats, whilst the 

 * Chinaman, in addition to his coat made of Chamisrops 

 leaves, constructs one from the rough netted fibres which 

 enclose the leafstalks. The large flabelliform leaves of 

 CorypJia umbraoulifera are used in Ceylon, where it is 

 called the "Talipot Palm," as umbrellas, and they are 

 converted into fans, and carried before people of rank ; 

 when sewn together they make excellent tent covers, 

 being very light and perfectly waterproof. In Java and 

 some of the other islands of the Indian Archipelago, stout 

 shields for purposes of war are also made of Corypha 

 leaves. Tlie Palms of Western Africa, with the exception, 

 of the Oil Palm {Elais guineensis), and to which we have 

 already referred, do not afford Europeans any material 

 for exportation ; only about ' eighteen species are recorded, 

 from that portion of the globe, of which several are in 

 cultivation. The genus Raphia is probably the most 

 useful (after Elais) to the native population ; huts are 

 made and thatched with the leaves and leafstalks of the 

 Raphia, also beds and hammocks, and what little clothing 

 is worn. All sorts of mats and basket-work are made 

 from the leaves, which are oftentimes dyed and worked, 

 up into very elegant patterns. Wine or "toddy" is also, 

 obtained in large quantities and of excellent quality from 

 one species (E. HooJcerii), and this plant is cultivated to. 

 some extent for this produce, although— singular to relate- 

 — thatch or roofing made of the leaves of this kind last, 

 only a third of the time of the others. Phcenix spinosa. 

 also yields a wine, and the fruits, although not so fine as 

 are those of Phoenix dactytifera, are much relished by the 

 negro tribes. The young leaves before expanding are. 

 cut and used for making a fine quality of plait of which. 



