CARYOTA. 146 



Oabtota. 



A pjenus' of noble Palms, wliieh as far as we are 

 aware, is the only one in the order which bears bipinnate 

 leaves. These plants are all deserving cultivation, for 

 even the tallest species are a long time attaining an in- 

 convenient size. The flower spike is very large and 

 drooping, the sexes being in separate flowers, though 

 both are produced on the same spike. The flowering is 

 continued from the top downwards, a spike of bloom 

 isstiing from the axil of every leaf in succession until the 

 lowermost one is reached, soon after which the plant dies. 

 Garyoias are found in a state of nature at considerable 

 elevations, one species being found in Sikkim, at 4,400 

 feet altitude, and thus it will prove sufficiently hardy to 

 decorate the sub-tropical garden in the summer season, 

 where its bipinnate leaves, and cuneate erose pinnse, will 

 afibrd a very distinct and tropical effect. They are also 

 elegant when young, and well adapted for the adornment 

 of the dinner table or apartments. These plants should 

 be potted in loam and vegetable mould in equal parts, 

 adding a little sand ; drain well, and during the growing 

 season give a liberal supply of water. They are increased 

 by seeds, which are frequently produced in this country, 

 and also by suckers. Odryotas yield toddy, from which 

 a quantity of sugar is obtained, and a farina resembling 

 sago, as well as a material known in the commercial 

 world as Kettul fibre. . 



G. Gumingii, — This plant is named in honour of Hugh 

 Cuming, the celebrated naturalist and collector of speci- 

 mens of all branches of natural history, and who was 

 the first to make known the present species. The plant 

 now^ under consideration is the most elegant, and perhaps 

 I. 



