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Phoenix palndosa, Eoxb. 
India. A stout species, not very tall. Of value at least for 
decorative culture. 
Phoenix pnsilla, Gaertuer. 
India and South China. A dwarf species, likely also to be 
hardy here. P. farinifera, Eoxb., appears to be identical. 
It is adapted for sandy and otherwise dry and barren land, 
but prefers the vicinity of the sea. Berry shining black, 
with a sweet mealy pulp. 
Phoenix reclinata, Jacquin. 
South Africa in the eastern districts. A hardy species, but 
not tall, often reclining. It is adapted for ornamentation. 
The seeds are frequently drawn into local use as a substi- 
tute for colFee. 
Phoenix silvestris, Eoxb. 
India, almost on any soil or in any situation. It has proved 
at Melbourne a very hardy species. Its greatest height is 
40 feet. Berries yellowish or reddish, larger than in P. 
pusilla. Where this palm abounds much sugar is obtained 
from it by evaporation of the sap, which flows from incisions 
into the upper part of the trunk, a process not sacriflcing 
the plant, as for 20 years the sap can thus be withdrawn. 
A kind of Arack is obtained by fermentation and distillation 
of this sap. Each plant furnishes the juice for about 8 lbs. 
of Date-sugar annually, but in some instances much more. 
About 50,000 tons of sugar are produced a year in Bengal 
alone from this and some other palms. 
Phoenix spinosa, Thonning. 
Tropical Africa, ascending mountain regions, thus perhaps 
hardy here with us. Dr. Kirk found the green bunches, if 
immersed in water for half a day, suddenly to assume a 
scarlet hue, and then the astringent pulp to become edible 
and sweet. 
Phormium tenax, j. E. and G. Eorster.* 
The Elax-lily of New Zealand, where it occurs as far south 
as 46° 30', occurring also in the Chatham Islands and 
Jforfolk Island, though not on Lord HoweV *'*^'^nd. It 
