258 



In some palms the leaf-sheath is broken up into a fibrous web 

 as in the Coconut and Kabong, (Arengi) which is valuable as fibre 

 for ropes, cordage, brushes and broo n>. The well known bath 

 broom is made from the stiff fibres of the South American Pissaba 

 Palm, (Attalea funiferd). A palm cultivated in the Botanic Gar- 

 dens collection Raffia Ruffia furnishes a fibre which is woven into 

 fabrics and plaited for delicate fancy work in the Mascarene 

 Islands and used for bast in tying up vines. 



Stem or Trunk, — Sago has already been mentioned as a palm 

 product and the pith of the trunk of other palms also furnish sago 

 but not in so large quantity or so good quality. 



As timbers for inlaying and other fancy work palm wood is 

 imported into Europe and America, Porcupine, Partridge, Coque- 

 rite, Palmyra, Carnauba are all well known palm timbers, and in all 

 tropical countries palm wood has its uses. 



In the Malay Peninsula Nibong, (Oneosperma), is an article of 

 trade and is used when split for laths, rafters, flooring and railing, 

 when split in two and hollowed is largely used on plantations and 

 mines for guttering and for deviating and conducting water in lieu 

 of piping. 



Singapore is the head quarters of the rattan trade, the canes are 

 obtained from the genera, Calamus, Plcctocomia, Korthalsia and 

 Dxmonorops, as described in a previous number of the Bulletin. 



Walking sticks are obtained from palm timber and in seme 

 instances represent the entire stem as with the Pinang Lawyer, 



[Lieu ala acutifida) and Kerintin {Ptychoraphis Singaporensis). 



Some species of palms are armed with spines, some pliable, 

 others formidable, and have several domestic uses, and are used 

 by the wild tribes of the Peninsula for darts and arrow heads. 



Roots are occasionally used for domestic purposes as with the 

 jerial roots of Iriartea by Indians on the Amazon and in many 

 countries have native repute medicinally — -as have also the fruits 

 and juices of some palms, but most of them have been hardly 

 scientifically examined. 



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