fan-leaved palm. 
275 
fruit; the former exactly resemble the green candle- 
shades which are now made to slide within a hol- 
low stick, and the latter represent the posteriors of 
a large animal. 
The borassus is a native of India, where it grows 
to the height of thirty feet, and is crowned with a 
bunch of fan-shaped leaves, each of which is five or 
six feet long, and supported on a stalk, armed on 
each side with a row of spines. It is said to pro- 
duce fruit but once during the time of its existence: 
this seems to be the final operation of Nature ; for 
we are assured that soon after the fructuation is ac- 
complished, the tree loses its vigour and gradually 
decays. 
This palm tree is highly prized by the natives 
of India, on account of its great utility : they draw 
from it a very agreeable liquor, susceptible of vinous 
fermentation, from which they either distill a spirit, 
or, by evaporation, obtain a sugar. The wood is of 
a black colour, variegated with veins of a yellowish 
tint. It is used in the building of their houses, in 
several parts of their furniture, and for some of their 
domestic utensils. For all these purposes it seems 
admirably calculated ; since, like the rest of the 
palms, it is of a very hard nature, and exceedingly 
durable. The leaves are also put to many uses ; 
with these, when entire, they cover their houses, 
and make their screens and parasols : when divided 
into slips, they are made into mats which serve for 
different purposes ; and finally, when cut in small 
