Palmae. 17 
distinguished from the other dates by its very stout trunk which 
reaches several feet in diameter. The leaves are dark green and 
narrower than those of the ordinary date palm. It is a native of 
the Canary Islands, as the specific name implies. 
Rhapis flabelliformis Ait. 
Ground Rattan Palm, or Bamboo Palm. 
Rhapis flabelliformis is a low palm with caespitose roots and 
reed-like trunks, the leaves are palmate and terminal, and their peti- 
oles, especially at the base, are surrounded by a fibrous matting. The 
yellowish flowers are polygamo-dioecious. The Bamboo Palm is a 
native of the Island of Liu Kiu and Southern China, and is culti- 
vated in oriental, especially Japanese, gardens for ornamental pur- 
poses. In Honolulu quite a number of specimens have been planted 
out in private premises, as well as in public parks. The oldest and 
tallest are in the late Governor Cleghorn's private garden at Waikiki. 
Its slender trunks are used to manufacture walking-sticks. 
Rhapis Cochinchinensis Mart, is probably also under cultivation 
in Honolulu. 
Coccothrinax argentea (Lodd.) Sarg. 
Cuban Palm. 
Plate IV. 
The genus Coccothrinax consists of about sixteen species all of 
which occur in the floral regions of the Antilles or West Indies. 
The silvery Coccothrinax is one of the handsomest species, but 
must be protected from wind, otherwise it will have a torn and 
ragged appearance. 
It can be easily recognized by its slender, graceful stem and 
terminal fan leaves which are silvery-gray underneath. The green 
or greenish-yellow flowers are borne in axillary, branched spadices; 
the fruit is blackish-blue, round and one-seeded. 
The leaves of the Coccothrinax argentea are manufactured into 
baskets and all kinds of. wicker-work besides being employed for the 
famous chip hats in the West Indies, and are made into brooms in 
the Isthmus of Panama whence the tree has received the name of 
"Palma de escoba" or Broom Palm. 
In Honolulu it is planted for ornamental purposes only and 
can be found in a great many residential grounds about the city. 
It is especially suited for planting in groves in well protected places. 
