Musaceae. 59 
and is cultivated by the Chinese in Honolulu ; a small plantation 
can be seen in the swamps along Kalakaua Avenue opposite the Sea- 
side Hotel. The Brazilian Banana, a tall plant, can be found usually 
near dwelling places. For further reference in regard to Bananas 
see: Gerrit P. Wilder, "Fruits of the Hawaiian Islands." 
The Genus Strelitzia is represented by the cultivated species 
Reginae from South Africa, in a few places in Honolulu as Mrs. 
Foster's and Mrs. Jaeger's premises, the former on Nuuanu Avenue, 
the latter on corner of King and Punahou Streets. The genus 
Ravenala, however, is of the greatest interest, and is here treated 
separately. Heliconia metall'ica is also present. 
Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn. 
Traveller's Palm, or Traveller's Tree. 
Plate XXVI. 
The Traveller's Tree or Palm, as it is often erroneously called, 
belongs to the Banana family and has nothing in common with the 
palms. It is a unique and striking-looking tree and reaches a height 
of often forty to fifty feet. As its specific name implies, it is a native 
of Madagascar. Another species of this genus occurs only in Brazil 
and Guiana, South America. 
The Traveller's Tree has been in cultivation for several decades, 
and a few handsome specimens can be found in various gardens and 
residential grounds about Honolulu. It is remarkable for the ar- 
rangement of the leaves, which resemble a huge fan. The leaves are 
often twelve to fifteen feet in length but are more or less torn into 
ribbons like those of the Bananas when planted in exposed situations. 
The name Traveller's Tree has been given it on account of its 
supposed service to travellers in the forest region and deserts, it be- 
ing capable of storing water in the leaf sheaths near the base where 
they join the stem. There seems not to be any need, however, for 
using this usually putrid water, as the tree grows in regions where 
water is usually plentiful. 
The leaves are used in Madagascar for roofs and packing ma- 
terial, while the split leaf stalks and leaf midribs serve for thatch- 
ing; they are braided together and employed as doors, and the huts 
of the natives are often constructed altogether from the braided leaf 
stalks. The plant is propagated from seed as well as from root 
suckers; it loves a moist, hot climate, and is quite ornamental. 
