THE SPIDER-WORT FAMILY. 



151 



Malayan Islands, having slender reed-like stems, which grow 

 to a great length, often from 150 to 200 feet, spreading over 

 trees and rambling in every direction. The stems and foot- 

 stalks of the leaves are generally furnished with stifE hooked 

 prickles. They are known by the name of rattans, and are 

 largely imported to this country for making chair-bottoms, 

 umbrella-ribs, and for other purposes, being used as a sub- 

 stitute for whalebone. 



Dragon's Blood {Calamus Draco). A native of the same 

 countries, and similar in habit to the preceding species. Its 

 fruit grows in bunches and are about the size of cherries, 

 consisting of imbricated scales of a rich shining red colour, 

 caused by a coating of wax which is collected by shaking 

 them in bags. After being run together into sticks or cakes, 

 it is imported and used in staining wood, for varnishes, &c. 



Malacca Cane {Calamus Sctpionum). An erect, slender- 

 stemmed palm, having distant joints. When cut and dried 

 they are of a beautiful chestnut-brown colour, and are made 

 into the much admired Malacca canes, which were once 

 carried by livery servants behind carriages. 



Several species of Calamus are natives of Sikkim, one of the 

 most important being C. montanus, of which suspension 

 bridges are made in India. It is also twisted into ropes, and 

 used for other purposes where great strength is required. 



In tropical America, climbing palms are represented by 

 Desmoncus and several species of Chamcedorea, which in New 

 Granada are twisted together and used in forming suspension 

 bridges. 



THE LILY AND HELLEBOEE ALLIANCE. 

 The Spider-wort Family. 



(COMMELYNACEJE.) 



Perennial, or annual herbs ; or soft, j ointed, erect, or trail- 

 ing-stemmed fruticuls ; either rooting on the ground or 

 epiphytal. Leaves simple, sheathing at their base. Flowers 

 naked, or many together in a bivalved involucre. Sepals 



